Schmidt, Joseph

Date of birth:: December 1st, 1918
Nationality:: American

Biography

Promotions:
?; Ensign;
?: Lieutenant (junior grade).

Career:
?: Torpedo Squadron 47 (VT-47).

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Navy Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Ensign
Unit:: Torpedo Squadron 47 (VT-47), U.S.S. Bataan (CVL-29), U.S. Navy
Awarded on:: July 6th, 1945

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FORTY-SEVEN (VT-47), attached to the U.S.S. BATAAN (CVL-29), during an attack on 7 April 1945, against a Japanese Task Force, steaming in the East China Sea off the Japan mainland island of Kyushu. Ensign Schmidt skillfully and courageously piloted his aircraft in a torpedo attack against major units of the enemy task force including a heavy battleship, cruisers and destroyers. During the action he attacked the battleship, and in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire as well as main battery fire, scored a direct torpedo hit which contributed materially to the sinking of the vessel immediately after the attack. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0949 (July 6, 1945)