Edward Schmitt
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

In August 1950, First Lieutenant Edward Schmitt was serving with Company H, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in Korea.

On the morning of 10 August, the 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment was holding commanding terrain, when they were attacked by a numerically superior enemy force. Due to the intensity of the enemy assault, the left company of the 2nd Battalion was forced to withdraw, endangering the Battalion observation post, where 1LT Schmitt was directing artillery fire upon the enemy. When the observation post was overrun by the enemy, he ordered the withdrawal of his men. Remaining in his position, he called for, and directed, friendly artillery to bear upon his own position in an attempt to divert the over-running enemy. He was finally forced to withdraw to the remainder of the Battalion. The devastating barrage of artillery fire directed by him, caused the enemy many casualties, and gave the Battalion time to make an orderly withdrawal and to set up a new life of defense. The unselfishness, heroism, and conspicuous devotion to duty displayed by 1LT Schmitt earned him the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

During the period 31 August - 3 September, 1LT Schmitt's unit was engaged with enemy forces near Yongsan, Korea, on the Naktong-gang River line. On the night of 31 August the entire front of the Ninth Infantry Division was heavily attacked by two divisions of the enemy that penetrated the lines of the Regiment and surrounded some of its units. 1LT Schmitt assumed command of a group of about seventy men, consisting mostly of members of Companies H and D. Fully realizing the critical position of the group, he immediately organized a perimeter defense. On the morning of 1 September, the enemy began the first of many attacks against the position and they continued all day and all night, but each attack was repulsed. 1LT Schmitt moved from man to man on the perimeter, explaining to each man the importance of holding the position to delay the enemy's advance and allow the Regiment time to regroup and counterattack. His leadership greatly inspired the bravery and daring of the men. Some left the perimeter to gather weapons and ammunition from enemy dead and to attack and destroy enemy machine-guns. On 2 September, 1LT Schmitt regained radio contact with 2nd Battalion and requested an air drop of water and ammunition as his men were suffering greatly from lack of water and some of them were delirious. Despite this, under his leadership they continued to fight off the enemy's attacks and piled up enemy dead in the hundreds on the hillside. 1LT Schmitt was wounded as he supervised the recovery of the air drop. However, although very weak from thirst, hunger, and loss of blood, he continued leading his Company. On 3 September, 1LT Schmitt transmitted his last message informing his commanders of the group's situation and stating that he and his men would continue to fight no matter what happened. Later that day, his radio sustained a direct hit and was destroyed. A short time later, 1LT Schmitt was mortally wounded as he continued to move among his wounded and dying men. 1LT Schmitt's courageous actions and inspiring leadership earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Edward Schmitt (ASN: 0-1326929), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of Company H, 2d Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Schmitt distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Yongsan, Korea on the Naktong-gang River line, during the period 31 August 1950 through 3 September 1950. On the night of 31 August 1950 the entire front of the Ninth Infantry Division was heavily attacked by two divisions of the enemy who penetrated the lines of the regiment and surrounded some of its units. Lieutenant Schmitt assumed command of a group of about seventy men, consisting largely of members of Companies H and D. Fully realizing the critical position of the group, he took charge immediately and organized a perimeter defense. On the morning of 1 September 1950, the enemy began the first of many fanatical attacks against the position. All day and all night the attacks continued. One attack after another was repulsed. Lieutenant Schmitt moved from man to man on the perimeter, displaying great courage and inspiring leadership. He explained to his men the importance of holding the position, thereby delaying the enemy's advance and allowing the regiment time to regroup and counterattack. Under his dominant leadership men rose to great heights of bravery and daring. Some left the perimeter to gather weapons and ammunition from enemy dead and to attack and destroy enemy machine-guns. On 2 September 1950, Lieutenant Schmitt gained radio contact with his battalion and requested an air drop of water and ammunition. His men were suffering greatly from lack of water and some of them were delirious. Nevertheless, under his leadership they continued to fight off the enemy's continued fanatical attacks and pile up enemy dead in hundreds on the hillside. He was wounded as he supervised the recovery of the air drop, but continued his duties although very weak from thirst, hunger, and loss of blood. Lieutenant Schmitt transmitted his last message on 3 September 1950, informing his commanders of the group's situation and stating that he and his men would fight on no matter what happened. Late on the same day his radio sustained a direct hit and was destroyed. Still later on the same day, he was mortally wounded as he continued to move among his wounded and dying men.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 54 (February 6, 1951)

Burial

First Lieutenant Edward Schmitt is buried at the Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, Burlington County, NJ, in Section J, Site 0063.

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