THRESHER Base Member
Oscar H. Schmidt, Commander, US Navy Retired
Sailor, Rest Your Oar

Thresher Base member Oscar H. Schmidt, Commander, US Navy Retired WWII Submarine Veteran, passed away suddenly on Saturday August 16, 2003. Commander Schmidt was 79. In addition to his significant contributions during a thirty year Naval career, Oscar was also key contributor for USSVI Thresher Base and US Submarine Veterans of WWII. He will be deeply missed by us all. Our prayers go out to Ruth, his wife of fifty-seven years.

Source material for the following is taken from: Obituaries, Foster's Daily Democrat, Dover, NH, Wednesday Evening, August 20, 2003:

Commander Schmidt began active duty as an enlisted man and member of the Commissioning Crew aboard the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard built USS Burrfish (SS-312). He made five WWII war patrols aboard the USS Haddo (SS-255). After WWI he served aboard a captured WWII German U-Boat, U-2513(SS), USS Medregal (SS-480), and the USS Cochino (SS-345).

Later as a Warrant Officer, he returned to PNS to serve as a Ship Superintendent. During this tour, he received his Commission as a Lieutenant and advanced to Senior Ship Superintendent during the construction of the Polaris submarine, USS John Adams (SSBN-620). He was the Shipyard Duty Officer on April 10, 1963 during the USS Thresher disaster.

He was associated with the Regulus Program, the precursor to the Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Program, including a tour of duty in the Special Projects Office (SPO) in Washington, DC.

In addition to earning his Submarine Dolphins and a Submarine Combat pin containing five WWII war patrol combat stars, Commander Schmidt received the following awards during his 30 year Naval career:

After his retirement, his contributions continued:

A full military burial ceremony was held August 21 at the Central Cemetery, Rye, NH.

Last updated by Kevin Galeaz on March 15, 2007 19:43
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