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Marine Sergeant Al Schmid – September ‘96 World War II FeatureWorld War II | 10 comments | Print This Post | Email This Post All night the Japanese continued their assaults, but the Marines’ anti-tank guns, machine guns and artillery cut Ichiki’s men down. At dawn, when it was clear the position would hold, Vandegrift sent a reserve battalion across the river to attack the Japanese from their flank and rear. Of the 800 Japanese who attacked across the Ilu on August 21, only 14 wounded were picked up, and one was captured unhurt. The rest were killed. Ichiki burned his regimental colors and committed suicide.The number of bodies counted within range of Al Schmid’s machine gun ran into the hundreds. The other Marines who were there that night credited him with killing at least 200 Japanese. Subscribe Today
Schmid was put on a hospital ship and sent back to the United States. He was admitted to the naval hospital at San Diego, Calif., on October 20, 1943, where he endured many operations to remove shell fragments from his face and eyes. His recovery was helped by the care and understanding of Virginia Pfeiffer, a Red Cross worker in the hospital, who wrote a four-page letter to Ruth explaining Schmid’s wounds. “Today he told me he might as well let you know,” she wrote. “He has lost one eye, and the other is seriously damaged. The doctors will not know for several months whether he will have any sight in that eye.” Virginia encouraged Ruth to keep writing to Schmid. On February 18, 1943, Schmid received the Navy Cross “for extraordinary heroism and outstanding courage.” He went to Washington, D.C., and was commended by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In Philadelphia, a parade was given in Schmid’s honor, and the Philadelphia Inquirer presented him with its Hero Award and $1,000. In New Orleans, Schmid received the key to the city. Articles about him appeared in Life and Cosmopolitan magazines, and a book, Al Schmid–Marine, was written by Roger Butterfield. In 1944 Warner Brothers studio began production on a movie based on Butterfield’s book, Pride of the Marines, starring John Garfield. Before he began the movie, Garfield went to Philadelphia, met the real Al Schmid, became his friend, lived in his home, and studied him. Garfield also spent two weeks at the San Diego Naval Hospital, studying the characteristics and mental attitudes of blind casualties. Pride of the Marines was released in 1945 and became an instant hit. Schmid never thought of himself as a hero. “When I came back I was the most disgusted man you ever saw. I didn’t want to bother to do anything. I could see people looking away from my ugly scars. They wouldn’t want to associate with me. I even told my girl it was all over.” Ruth would not take no for an answer. She and Schmid were married in April 1943. In June 1944, she gave birth to a son, Albert A. Schmid, Jr. The publicity generated by the marriage had brought a flood of requests for war bond, hospital and charity appearances. Although he didn’t want to go, Schmid accepted all of the invitations. “I wanted to help the boys, and at the same time I was helping myself,” he explained. “I got used to people again. Any time anyone wanted me, I was there, whether there was a little profit or all for charity.” Schmid was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps Reserve on December 9, 1944. After an unsuccessful bid in politics, he and his family moved to Florida so he could be close to Bay Pines Veterans Hospital in St. Petersburg. Schmid regained partial eyesight in his remaining eye and spent his years pursuing his hobbies of organ-playing, ham radio and fishing. One of his proudest moments was catching a 130-pound tarpon off Long Boat Key. Al Schmid died of bone cancer on December 2, 1982, in St. Petersburg. He was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. * Pages: 1 2 3Help HistoryNet by bookmarking to
           
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10 Comments to “Marine Sergeant Al Schmid – September ‘96 World War II Feature”
I just watch Pride of the Marines on Turner Classic Movies and became curious to acquire more information about Al Schmid.
Thank you for having such an indepth article about him. I really enjoyed reading it.
By Adrienne Shearer on May 23, 2009 at 5:36 pm
The movie was great Pride of the Marines. I am a formal Marine I severed Jan. 1970 Jan.1972. I sure would like to have met Al.
By Welton Mc/callister on May 23, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Why did Schmid get most of the credit for stopping the Japanese attack? There were two other Marines in the position. The gun commander, Corporal Leroy Diamond and gunner P.F.C. John Rivers suffered/contributed as much or more than Schmid. Also no mention is given to the other two machine gun and 37mm anti-tank gun emplacements and their crews. It was though those crews weren’t in the Battle of the Ilu. Could it have been the Washington spin doctors, needing a real live AMERICAN HERO after the crushing defeats of Pearl Harbor, the Philippines and elsewhere in the Pacific couldn’t use Diamond(too Jewish) or Rivers(Native American and dead). Schmid was perfect. White Anglo-Saxon, Protestant, alive and blind, perfect. They promoted him to Sargent, gave him the Navy Cross and carted him off to sell War Bonds. I wonder what Lee Diamond did for the rest of the War?
By William Rivers Freedman on Jul 1, 2009 at 8:07 pm
To Mr. William R. Freedman:
I’m Jewish; Philadelphian – born and bred (not far from where Al Schmid grew up); my late Father was a WWII veteran; and I think your remarks are out of line – in other words, unkind to say the least! I believe Sgt. Schmid was a real hero – I believe ALL Americans who have done active duty are heroes! To quibble about ethnic group or race is PC nonsense – Al Schmid’s life wasn’t exactly “easy street” despite his deserved honors.
I was born in ‘55 and though I knew several Vietnam veterans (in my age cohort), most young men I knew wouldn’t have dreamed of sacrificing a fingernail for this nation! My Father and my uncles all faced the music as infantrymen in Europe and The Philippines; fortunately they didn’t suffer the devastating wounds that Al Schmid did.
There are many reasons to be discouraged today – the decline of American (and western civ) culture and values are among them. Let’s not rip into a decent man who truly made sacrifices – a real Defender of Freedom. Your surname may not be “Freedman” for nothing, ya know!
By Lisa M. Hawkins on Jul 9, 2009 at 11:41 am
I am a cousin of Coporal Leroy Diamond. He was born in 1917 and will be 92 this month. He lives in Rosedale, Queens in NYC. Hed worked many years as a plumber and was present at the opening of the Marine Museum in Virginia. I have video taped he talking about his war experiences and wish someone making a documentary about WWII would interview him as well as he is not getting any younger.
By Andrew N. Bader on Jul 10, 2009 at 3:01 pm
God bless Sgt Schnid and Cpl
By George Monaghan on Jul 20, 2009 at 9:50 pm
SemperFi ! Cpl Diamond…
By George Monaghan on Jul 20, 2009 at 9:51 pm
To Lisa M. Hawkins
I never besmirched Al Schmid’s courage or the sacrifice of his sight. My frustration was and still is with the Washington Bureaucrats( I called them spin doctors) who didn’t think Americans were ready for their heroes to be anything other than Wasps. Remember, at the time , Japanese Americans were being held in concentration camps, the Armed Forces were still segregated, most Americans thought stories of the Holocaust were propaganda and Native Americans didn’t have full citizenship! My remarks are far from P.C. bullshit they are the facts. All of the men who fought and died that night, in America’s first World War Two victory, should have been given credit for a job well and gallantly done.
I simply wrote the truth of the matter. If one does a cursory study of the Battle of the Ilu/Tenaru River very little mention(if any)can be found of the other participants of the Battle. It will appear as if only one gun emplacement was guarding the tidal lagoon known variously as Alligator Creek(a misnomer, no alligators in the Solomon Islands) the Tenaru River(mismarked on Marine Corp maps) or properly the Ilu River. Finally, after some additional research, I learned Corporal Lee Diamond, after recovering from his wounds, was sent back to his outfit and survived the War. For some futher reading about how Schmid’s Hero status affected his relationship with others; especially Lee Diamond; read “The body and physical differences:discourses of disability” Mitchell&Snyder, 1997.
P.S. P.F.C. John Rivers is my Uncle, my Mother’s Brother. Before the war, He fought as a welterweight under the name Indian Johnny Rivers. Born across the River in New Jersey he grew up in Quakertown, Pa. and made his home in Philly for several years prior to the war.
By William Rivers Freedman on Aug 13, 2009 at 6:31 am
There is a documentary on just about every battle, insurgence, or mission in any war. Declared or not. We see the same information about said battle over and over again. Maybe it is time to examine the Battle of Ilu River. Clp. Diamond’s own cousin states that no one has ever tried to interview him. People have gone to Japan and Germany to interview the other side to get their side of the war.Don’t you think it’s about time to have a conversation with Clp Diamond. Time is running out, he’s 92. He’s on our side. I want to hear what he has to say.
By William Rivers Freedman on Aug 13, 2009 at 6:41 pm
To: Andrew Bader cousin of Leroy Diamond,
Noted historical writer William Bartsch is presently writing a book about the Battle of the Ilu River. He is striving to make the record straight and give credit where credit is due. He and I have been in contact. I have given him copies of letters my Uncle(PFC Rivers) wrote home to his Sister, my Mmom. I would love to talk to you and see the videos you have made. If you are agreeable let me know through this medium.
By William Rivers Freedman on Sep 30, 2009 at 2:15 pm