Hello:

I was hoping that someone remembers my father, Leo J. Schmidt, and could provide me with more information about what he and the 161st went through in WWII. My father, who passed on in 1999, never spoke of the war. Using his discharge papers as a starting point (and your wonderful Web site), I have assembled the following information.

Leo John Schmidt, a North Dakota farm boy, was a member of the 161st Infantry. He was certified as a flame thrower and communications specialist. He participated in all the 161st’s campaigns (Hawaii, Guadalcanal, The Solomons, Luzon) until 25 January, 1945, during the battle for the village of San Manuel, Phillipines when he was felled by Japanese bullets to the arm and leg. On the last day of his life in 1999, my Father spoke with my mother about that day, saying that there was very close combat and Japanese snipers were always a terrifying possibility. He went on to say that he was running a spool of wire (following behind a jeep driven my Uncle Frank Barth) when he was hit. It took a while for medics to reach him. They covered two roles of gauze with Vaseline, placing one in each of his wounds (“they almost went right through” he said) and dragged him out of harm’s way. He received his Purple Heart and Philippine Liberation Medal (both of which I proudly have) and was shipped to Oakland, CA for recuperation. I am wondering if that same ship carried the rescued prisoners of the Battan death march (there is some video footage of that ship). The departure date suggests it very well might be.

My father kept his uniform for several years but I only saw it once. I didn’t know until recently what the lightning bolt patch (Tropic Lightning 25th Infantry Division) designated or that he was a part of the famous battles for Galloping Horse and Horseshoe Hill.

If there is anyone who could provide more information about my father and the 161st, I would be very grateful.

daleschmidt1@comcast.net