Joe E. Schmidt

(07/17/2003) Joe E. Schmidt, 90, of Niederwald, departed this life on July 14, 2003, at San Marcos, Texas. He was born May 15, 1913, near Niederwald, Texas, to Edwin O. and Anna Damerau Schmidt. Schmidt served in World War II in the U.S. Army from his induction at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, on February 8, 1941, until he received an Honorable Discharge at the Separation Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, on July 1, 1945. His longevity for pay purposes was listed as being four years, four months, and 25 days. He was awarded several medals, including the Purple Heart, the American Defense Service Award, and the EAME Campaign Medal with seven Bronze Stars- one Bronze Star for each major battle in which he had participated. Schmidt was assigned first to Company B, 18th Armored Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Infantry. He was trained as an Infantryman and Light Mortar Crewman. He progressed through the ranks and, on May 11th, 1943, as a Buck Sergeant, shipped out for ``overseas'' duty. As part of the European, African, Middle Eastern Tour (EAME), he participated in many important battles. He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds sustained in a battle in Africa on December 6, 1942, which few of Company B survived. After this tour, during which he earned six Bronze Stars, Schmidt received a furlough, and after spending two years, one month, and three days (most of the time in combat) on July 10, 1944, arrived home for 15 days on the farm. At Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, Staff Sergeant Joe E. Schmidt was reassigned to the 16th Armored Tank Division, and trained a company of Infantryman. And by February 17, 1945, he (and his men) were with the EAME. It was in the early morning of Sunday, May 6, 1945, that the 16th Armored Tank Division under General Patton rolled into Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. The mission was to liberate the town and free American POWs located in two prison camps, most of which had been there since December 1944. His description of the condition of those American prisoners was very vivid and and graphic, and their liberation was something of which he was quite proud. It was for this action that he received his seventh and final Bronze Star. After his discharge, Schmidt returned to the farm. For many years, he also worked as a pressman at the Niederwald Gin. When farming became non-profitable, Joe Schmidt, together with his older brother, Clifford, began doing carpentry work, building houses and barns, and restoring old homes. Both retired from this occupation. Schmidt is survived by two sisters, Oleta Schmidt and Viola Schmidt, both of Buda; one brother, Clifford Schmidt of Lockhart; and a number of nieces and nephews. Schmidt was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Curtis Schmidt. Visitation took place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2003, at McCurdy Funeral Home, Lockhart, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2003, at the McCurdy Funeral Home Chapel, the Rev. Gary Rodgers officiating. Burial will follow at Lockhart City Cemetery . Pallbearers will be Curtis Knetch, Gary Knetch, Clyde Roach, Robert Roach, Roy Roach, and Wayne Roach.