Mark B. Schmidt
Era: Korea
Military Branch: Army
Photo: Mr. Schmidt on July 5, 1959: “The guys call me ‘Country Boy.’”
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Mark B. Schmidt
Mr. Schmidt served in the Cold War in Korea.
He served in the U.S. Army beginning on March 3, 1958. He received training in combat engineer fortification with the 5th Army and was sent to Korea. He was assigned to the 17th Infantry Combat Engineer Company, 7th Division, at Camp Kaiser, near the De-Militarized Zone (DMZ) on November 11, 1958. Ten days later, Mr. Schmidt was Private First Class and Assistant Platoon Leader. On December 23, 1958, he was a Temporary Platoon Sergeant, responsible for thirty-six service members. On February 1, 1959, he became Specialist 4th Class and worked as foreman on minefield fortification at the DMZ line. He was Platoon Sergeant for eight months and made Sergeant on September 28, 1959.
Mr. Schmidt returned to the United States on November 4, 1959, and was assigned to the 2nd Army, Fort Meade, Maryland. For eighteen months he served as Field Sergeant non-commissioned officer (NCO) instructor, Combat Engineers. He was discharged on February 26, 1961.
His rank was Sergeant.
Mr. Schmidt was born in 1937 in Glidden, Wisconsin, the son of Berthold and Gisela Schmidt. He graduated from high school in 1956.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form, veteran’s account (below):
“Honor Flight—a truly gratifying trip. Once again, acquaintance of old soldiers, tell of their hero, buddies that gave their youth and duty of life for the dignity of being American. The veteran memorials says all as we walk and talk on the grassy terrace banks of freedom. The years I served within 2nd Army area. I gave of my weekends, Fridays and Saturdays, to be an Honor Guard. Military graveside service at Arlington and Baltimore National Cemeteries. For eighteen months, assigned to 19th Combat Engineer Battalion as a field instructor NCO, Fort Meade, Maryland. General Douglas MacArthur would say, ‘Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.’
“I held my equal to every man I had assigned to me, I would say a few beads each day for them. The Rosary was my “chain of command.” I never prayed like hell, ’cause I never got there! But I came home outside of a pine box. My license plate is ‘GOD KNOS.’
“Richard and JoAnn Mason (JoAnn was my Honor Flight guardian) were especially trustworthy on behalf of locating a daughter in D.C., which I have never seen over fifty years in my life, after years of prayer. The Masons were a godsend.”
Mr. Schmidt’s record of service:
“Seven months training advanced, Combat Engineer Fortification, 5th Army.
“November 11, 1958: Korea, 7th Division, 17th Infantry Combat Engineer Company. Camp Kaiser, near DMZ line.
“November 21, 1958: PFC (Private First Class) at eight-and-a-half months and Assistant Platoon Leader.
“December 23, 1958: Temporary Platoon Sergeant—thirty-six GI’s.
“On February 1, 1959: Specialist 4th Class at eleven months. Minefield fortification foreman, DMZ line.
“Held Platoon Sergeant eight months. Made E-5 NCO, September 28, 1959, eighteen months in service.
“November 4, 1959: 2nd Army, Ft. Meade, Maryland, Field Sergeant NCO instructor, Combat Engineers, eighteen months.”
