Sgt. Frederick Schmidt was born in Maywood, Illinois, on November 30, 1924, to Solomon Schmidt and Amalia Schneider-Schmidt, and had two sisters and two brothers. His family resided at 507 South 11th Avenue in Maywood. Fred graduated from Saint Paul Lutheran School in Melrose Park, Illinois, and then from Proviso Township High School, Maywood, in 1942. After high school, he was employed by the Charles Bruning Company in Chicago.
He registered with Selective Service on December 29, 1942, and named his mother as his contact person. On March 9, 1943, he was drafted into the US Army and issued the serial number 36 739 281. He was offered the opportunity to join the Air Corps because of his score on the Army General Classification Test and that his civilian job skills would be best used in the Air Corps. It is known, in no particular order, that he trained at Sheppard Army Airfield, Wichita Falls, Texas; Lincoln Army Airfield, Lincoln, Nebraska, where he qualified as a waist gunner; Peterson Airfield, Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he attended combat crew training school.
At some point Fred was assigned to the 755th Bomb Squadron, 458th Air Group, 8th Air Force, which was at Horsham St. Faith, England. His plane was a B-24 Liberator named “Chicago Shirl” which was piloted by 2nd Lt. Francis H. Morris. The other members of the crew were 2nd Lt. George W. Ahlsen, navigator; Sgt, George F. Gebhart, tail gunner; S/Sgt. Jerry F. Girardi, Radio Operator; 2nd Lt. William G. Schaudt, co-pilot; Sgt. Philip A. Smith, wing gunner; 2nd Lt. Joseph J. Vacha, bombardier; S/Sgt. James C. Weich, top turret gunner.
The crew’s first mission was on August 12, 1944. The mission was to destroy the airfield at Mourmelon, France. It was stated the mission was a success. The plane took part in three more bombing missions between the 12th and 24th of August. On August 25, 1944, the Chicago Shirl took part in its last mission. That morning the planes took off to bomb Dornier Aircraft Factory in Lubeck, Germany. What is known is that the plane was hit by shrapnel in its right wing while over Lubeck. The pilot and co-pilot managed to keep the plane level allowing seven of the crew members to get out. It appears that Fred, 2nd lt. Joseph Vacha, and Sgt. George Gebhart were wounded or killed when the plane was hit, since none of these three men got out of the plane before it hit the ground and exploded at approximately 10:45 am. The Germans buried Fred in Row 17 , Grave 12, 2nd Lt. Joseph Vacka in Grave 11, and Sgt. George Gebhardt in Grave 13, in the civilian cemetery, Leck, Germany.
The Burger Meister of Waygaard, Germany, Ingwer Peterson, stated in a translated statement.
“In the time from November 1, 1945, I am the Burger Meister from Waygaard. Over the plane crash of an American bomber in August 1944, I can give the following statement. I don’t know the date of the crash.
“Before noon, I was standing in my house, I heard a loud detonation. At once I run out my house and observed following: The plane lay on the ground. I saw five (5) men coming down with parachutes in Farretoft, Two other men came down in Herrenkoog. The single parts of the plane lay around in the distance of 500-600 meters north from Waygaard. The police and the Wehrmacht blocked the place of the crash. Near the tail lay one dead flier. Another body was lying in a distance of 400 meters from the wreckages. I can’t say anymore, but I was told that it had been three men. The parachutes of these deceased did not open. One of the living soldiers was burned in the face. It may be that the plane burned in the air before it exploded on the ground. The Wehrmacht took prisoner of the rest of the crew and carried this men at Leck. They got something to eat in the Fahretoft. Also the deceased were carried at Leck were they were buried.”
Fred’s parents received a telegram from the War Department on September 7, 1944.
MR SOLOMON SCHMIDT
635 SOUTH 19TH AVENUE
MAYWOOD ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR SON SERGEANT FREDERICK SCHMIDT HAS BEEN REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SINCE TWENTY FIVE AUGUST OVER GERMANY PERIOD IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIED PERIOD
ULIO
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
The telegram was followed by a letter.
Mr. Solomon Schmidt
635 South 19th Avenue
Maywood, Illinois
Dear Mr. Schmidt:
This letter is to confirm my recent telegram in which you were regretfully informed that your son, Sergeant Frederick Schmidt, 36, 739, 281, Air Corps, has been reported missing in action since 25 August 1944 over Germany.
I know that added distress is caused by failure to receive some information or details. Therefore, I wish to assure you that at any time additional information is received it will be transmitted to you without delay, and, if in the meantime no additional information is received, I will again communicate with you at the expiration of three months. Also, it is the policy of the Commanding General of the Army Air Forces upon receipt of the “Missing Air Crews Report” to convey to you any details that might be contained in that report.
The term “missing in action” is used only to indicate that the whereabouts or status of an individual is not immediately known. It is not intended to convey the impression that the case in closed. I wish to emphasize that every effort is exerted continuously to clear up the status of our personnel. Under war conditions this is a difficult task as you must readily realize. Experience has shown that many persons reported missing in action are subsequently reported prisoners of war, but as this information is furnished by countries with which we are at war, the War Department is helpless to expedite such reports. However, in order to relieve financial worry, Congress has enacted legislation which contains in force pay, allowances and allotments to dependents of the personnel being carried in a missing status.
Permit me to extend to you my heartfelt sympathy during this period of uncertainty.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
J. A. ULIO
Major General
The Adjutant General.
The German Government, through the International Red Cross, reported to the War Department that Sgt. Frederick Schmidt had been killed in action on October 8, 1944. His parents were sent a telegram.
MR SOLOMON SCHMIDT
635 SOUTH 19TH
MAYWOOD ILLINOIS
I AM DEEPLY DISTRESSED TO INFORM YOU CORRECTED REPORT JUST RECEIVED STATES YOUR SON SERGEANT FREDERICK SCHMIDT WHO WAS PREVIUOSLY REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION WAS KILLED ON 25 AUGUST NINETEEN FORTY FOUR IN GERMANY PERIOD THE SECRETARY OF WAR ASKS THAT I EXPRESS HIS DEEP SYMPATHY IN YOUR LOSS AND HIS REGRET THAT UNAVOIDABLE CIRCUMSTANCES MADE NECESSARY THE UNUSUAL LAPSE IN TIME IN REPORTING YOUR SONS DEATH TO YOU CONFIRMING LETTER FOLLOWS
J A ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
His father received this letter that was dated June 4, 1945, from the War Department.
Mr. Solomon Schmidt
635 South Nineteenth Avenue
Maywood, Illinois
Dear Mr. Schmidt:
It is with profound regret that I confirm the recent telegram informing you of the death of your son, Sergeant Frederick Schmidt, 36, 739, 281, Air Corps, who was previously reported missing in action.
An official report has now been received which states that he was killed in action in Germany on 25 August 1944.
I realize the great suspense you have endured during this unfortunately long period and now, the finality to those hopes which you have cherished for his safety. Although little may be said or done at this time to alleviate your grief, it is my fervent hope that later the knowledge that he gave his life for his country may be sustaining comfort to you.
I extend my profound sympathy in your bereavement.
Sincerely yours
(signed)
J. A. ULIO
Major General
The Adjutant General
Another letter was sent to Fred’s father.
26 February 1946
Mr. Solomon Schmidt
635 South 19th Avenue
Maywood, Illinois
Dear Mr. Schmidt:
I am writing to you in reference to your son who gave his life in the service of his Country during the European War.
In an effort to furnish the next of kin with all available details concerning casualties among our personnel, the Army Air Forces recently completed the translation of several volumes of captured German records.
In regard to Sergeant Frederick Schmidt, these records indicate that he was killed when his B-24 (Liberator) bomber sustained damage from enemy antiaircraft fire and crashed at 10:45 a.m., on 25 August 1944, The crash occurred at Fahretoft, which is approximately nineteen miles northwest of Husum. Sgt. Schmidt’s identity was established by means of his identification tags. These records further state that he was interred on 26 August 1944,in the cemetery at Leck, Germany. Lack is located approximately twenty miles north of Husum.
The Quartermaster General in his capacity as Chief, American Graves Registration Service, is charged with the responsibility of notifying the next of kin concerning grave locations of members of the military forces who are killed or die outside the continental limits of the United States. If the report of your son’s burial has not been confirmed and you have not been notified by the Quartermaster General, that official will furnish you definite information immediately upon receipt of the official report of interment from the Commanding General of the Theater concerned.
May the knowledge of your sons valuable contribution to our cause sustain you in your bereavement.
Very Sincerely,
(signed)
LEON W. JOHNSON
Brigadier General, USA
Chief, Personnel Services Division
After the war, the American Graves Registration Service whose job was to recover the dead, arrived at the cemetery. It was noted that eight Americans – from two different planes – were buried in the cemetery. Fred’s name was on the cross marking his grave and that when his remains were recovered one of his ID tags was found with his remains. His remains were casketed and buried in Plot T, Row 2, Grave 46, at the United States Military Cemetery Neuvile-en-Condroz, Belgium. His father received a letter, dated August 21, 1946, informing him where Fred was buried and the location of his grave.
21 August 1946
Mr. Solomon Schmidt
635 South 19th Avenue
Maywood, Illinois
Dear Mr. Schmidt:
The War Department is most desirous that you be furnished information regarding the burial location of your son, the late Sergeant Frederick Schmidt, A.S.N. 36 739 281.
The records of this office disclose that his remains were originally interred in a temporary cemetery established near the place where he met his death, but were later moved to a more suitable site where constant care of the grave can be assured by our Forces in the field.
The records further disclose that his remains are now interred in the U. S. Military Cemetery Neuville-en-Condroz, plot I, row 2, grave 46, located nine miles southwest of Liege, Belgium. You may be assured that the identification and interment have been accomplished with fitting dignity and solemnity.
The War Department has now been authorized to comply, at Government expense, with the feasible wishes of the next of kin regarding final interment, here or abroad, of the remains of your loved one. At a later date, this office will, without any action on your part, provide the next of kin with full information and solicit his detailed desires.
Please accept my sincere sympathy in your great loss.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
T. B. LARKIN
Major General
The Quartermaster General
Another letter, dated January 15, 1948, arrived from the Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC, informing Solomon Schmidt of his options for Fred’s final burial. He was asked to complete an enclosed form and return it to the OQMG indicating where he wanted his son buried. The completed form was received on February 5, 1948, indicating that his family wanted Fred returned to Illinois for burial.
Fred’s casket was disinterred and sent by train, on March 2, 1949, his casket was sent to the OIC Casketing Point, Antwerp, Belgium, where his remains were placed in a new casket. His casket remained in Antwerp until April 22, 1949, when his casket was placed on the USAT Haiti Victory which sailed the same day and arrived in the New York Port of Entry on May 4, 1949. His casket arrived at the Quartermaster Corps Distribution Center #8, Chicago, on May 16th. His casket, on June 13th, was taken in a military hearse to the Paul W. Senne Funeral Home, Maywood, Illinois. Sgt. Frederick Schmidt was buried, on June 14, 1949, in the Mount Auburn Cemetery, Stickney, Illinois, in the Homewood section of the cemetery. Fred’s brother David who was reported missing in action in Italy on May 2, 1944, and declared dead on July 20, 1945.
