Albert Amelia "Smitty" Schmidt, 78, of Louisville, Colorado, passed away on Friday, May 16, 2003, in Louisville, Colorado. He was born June 4, 1924, in Liebenthal, Kansas, the son of Theresa V. (Wassinger) and Stephen Schmidt.
He attended school in Hays, KS, and Greeley, CO.
He was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Corps during his senior year, 1944. He was stationed in Corsica and flew bombing missions as tail gunner in Europe and the Balkans.
On March 10, 1945, his aircraft was shot down, and he was missing in action and a prisoner of war for three months in northern Italy, before the U.S. liberation. During the crash, he suffered severe injury to his vocal chords, which left him with only a whisper. After his release, he spent two years at Fitzsimons Hospital in Denver, CO. He received the Purple Heart, Air Medal with Oak Leaves, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Bronze Star during his military career.
He married Eileen M. Harris on May 8, 1949, in Boulder, CO.
He moved to Louisville in 1952 from Colorado Springs, CO. He was a member of the Lions Club, where he served as treasurer for many years; the Tri City Elks Lodge, No. 2541; and St. Louis Catholic Parish, where he served as usher every other weekend for many years. "He enjoyed coin collecting, fishing, hunting and traveling, but especially enjoyed his coffee every morning at the Market Place in Louisville," his family said.
"Smitty" was employed by Rocky Flats Arsenal as an X-ray technician from 1953 until his retirement in 1989.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen M. (Harris).
"Smitty" is survived by two daughters, Laurie Chestnut of Louisville and Theresa Myers of Greeley; and two sons, Chris "Reggie" Schmidt and Chuck Schmidt, both of Louisville; and nine grandchildren.
He attended school in Hays, KS, and Greeley, CO.
He was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Corps during his senior year, 1944. He was stationed in Corsica and flew bombing missions as tail gunner in Europe and the Balkans.
On March 10, 1945, his aircraft was shot down, and he was missing in action and a prisoner of war for three months in northern Italy, before the U.S. liberation. During the crash, he suffered severe injury to his vocal chords, which left him with only a whisper. After his release, he spent two years at Fitzsimons Hospital in Denver, CO. He received the Purple Heart, Air Medal with Oak Leaves, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Bronze Star during his military career.
He married Eileen M. Harris on May 8, 1949, in Boulder, CO.
He moved to Louisville in 1952 from Colorado Springs, CO. He was a member of the Lions Club, where he served as treasurer for many years; the Tri City Elks Lodge, No. 2541; and St. Louis Catholic Parish, where he served as usher every other weekend for many years. "He enjoyed coin collecting, fishing, hunting and traveling, but especially enjoyed his coffee every morning at the Market Place in Louisville," his family said.
"Smitty" was employed by Rocky Flats Arsenal as an X-ray technician from 1953 until his retirement in 1989.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen M. (Harris).
"Smitty" is survived by two daughters, Laurie Chestnut of Louisville and Theresa Myers of Greeley; and two sons, Chris "Reggie" Schmidt and Chuck Schmidt, both of Louisville; and nine grandchildren.
Albert Amelia "Smitty" Schmidt, 78, of Louisville, Colorado, passed away on Friday, May 16, 2003, in Louisville, Colorado. He was born June 4, 1924, in Liebenthal, Kansas, the son of Theresa V. (Wassinger) and Stephen Schmidt.
He attended school in Hays, KS, and Greeley, CO.
He was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Corps during his senior year, 1944. He was stationed in Corsica and flew bombing missions as tail gunner in Europe and the Balkans.
On March 10, 1945, his aircraft was shot down, and he was missing in action and a prisoner of war for three months in northern Italy, before the U.S. liberation. During the crash, he suffered severe injury to his vocal chords, which left him with only a whisper. After his release, he spent two years at Fitzsimons Hospital in Denver, CO. He received the Purple Heart, Air Medal with Oak Leaves, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Bronze Star during his military career.
He married Eileen M. Harris on May 8, 1949, in Boulder, CO.
He moved to Louisville in 1952 from Colorado Springs, CO. He was a member of the Lions Club, where he served as treasurer for many years; the Tri City Elks Lodge, No. 2541; and St. Louis Catholic Parish, where he served as usher every other weekend for many years. "He enjoyed coin collecting, fishing, hunting and traveling, but especially enjoyed his coffee every morning at the Market Place in Louisville," his family said.
"Smitty" was employed by Rocky Flats Arsenal as an X-ray technician from 1953 until his retirement in 1989.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen M. (Harris).
"Smitty" is survived by two daughters, Laurie Chestnut of Louisville and Theresa Myers of Greeley; and two sons, Chris "Reggie" Schmidt and Chuck Schmidt, both of Louisville; and nine grandchildren.
He attended school in Hays, KS, and Greeley, CO.
He was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Corps during his senior year, 1944. He was stationed in Corsica and flew bombing missions as tail gunner in Europe and the Balkans.
On March 10, 1945, his aircraft was shot down, and he was missing in action and a prisoner of war for three months in northern Italy, before the U.S. liberation. During the crash, he suffered severe injury to his vocal chords, which left him with only a whisper. After his release, he spent two years at Fitzsimons Hospital in Denver, CO. He received the Purple Heart, Air Medal with Oak Leaves, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Bronze Star during his military career.
He married Eileen M. Harris on May 8, 1949, in Boulder, CO.
He moved to Louisville in 1952 from Colorado Springs, CO. He was a member of the Lions Club, where he served as treasurer for many years; the Tri City Elks Lodge, No. 2541; and St. Louis Catholic Parish, where he served as usher every other weekend for many years. "He enjoyed coin collecting, fishing, hunting and traveling, but especially enjoyed his coffee every morning at the Market Place in Louisville," his family said.
"Smitty" was employed by Rocky Flats Arsenal as an X-ray technician from 1953 until his retirement in 1989.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen M. (Harris).
"Smitty" is survived by two daughters, Laurie Chestnut of Louisville and Theresa Myers of Greeley; and two sons, Chris "Reggie" Schmidt and Chuck Schmidt, both of Louisville; and nine grandchildren.
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