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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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Photo # NH 79446:  Chief Gunner's Mate Oscar Schmidt Jr.

Online Library of Selected Images:
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Chief Gunner's Mate Oscar Schmidt Jr., USN, (1896-1973)

Oscar Schmidt Jr. was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 25 March 1896. He served in the Navy during and after World War I, rising to the rank of Chief Gunner's Mate. On 9 October 1918, while a crewmember on USS Chestnut Hill (ID # 2526), he distinguished himself by his "gallant conduct and extraordinary heroism" while rescuing men from the burning submarine chaser SC-219. For this act, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Oscar Schmidt Jr. died on 24 March 1973 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetary.

This page features the only views we have concerning Chief Gunner's Mate Oscar Schmidt Jr., USN.

For other images related to the loss of the SC-219, see:

  • USS SC-219 (1918-1918).


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 79446

    Chief Gunner's Mate Oscar Schmidt Jr., USN


    Halftone photo from Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy, page 124. It was taken several years after World War I.
    He was awarded the Medal of Honor for "gallant conduct and extraordinary heroism" in rescuing survivors of the burning USS SC-219 on 9 October 1918. He was a crewmember of USS Chestnut Hill (ID # 2526) at the time.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 86KB; 595 x 715 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 99644

    U.S. Navy Medal of Honor


    Reverse of a Medal of Honor awarded to Chief Gunner's Nate Oscar Schmidt Jr., for "extraordinary heroism" in rescuing crewmen of USS SC-219, which burned and sank at sea on 9 October 1918.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 80KB; 560 x 765 pixels

     

    For other images related to the loss of the SC-219, see:

  • USS SC-219 (1918-1918).



    Medal of Honor citation of Chief Gunner's Mate Oscar Schmidt Jr. (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 124):

    "For gallant conduct and extraordinary heroism while attached to the U.S.S. Chestnut Hill, on the occasion of the explosion and subsequent fire on board the United States submarine chaser 219, 9 October 1918. SCHMIDT, seeing a man, whose legs were partially blown off, hanging on a line from the bow of the 219, jumped overboard, swam to the subchaser and carried him from the bow to the stern where a member of the 219's crew helped him land the man on the afterdeck of the subchaser. SCHMIDT then endeavored to pass through the flames amidships to get to another man who was seriously burned. This he was unable to do, but when the injured man fell overboard and drifted to the stern of the chaser, SCHMIDT helped him aboard."


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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    Page made 25 October 2004