Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
SCHMITT, Aloysius: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
[[Image:schmittp.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Memorial in St. Mary's Church. Photo courtesy: Theresa Crabill]]He was honored posthumously by the U.S. government when it awarded him the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. A destroyer escort named USS Schmitt was commissioned in 1943 by the Navy in his honor and served the U.S. Navy until 1967 when it was transferred to Taiwan. On October 26, 1948, Loras College dedicated the Father Schmitt Memorial of [[CHRIST THE KING CHAPEL]] in his memory. It contains some of Fr. Schmitt's property that was donated to the school. The Chaplain Schmitt Island in the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]] is the location of [[DUBUQUE GREYHOUND PARK AND CASINO]]. | [[Image:schmittp.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Memorial in St. Mary's Church. Photo courtesy: Theresa Crabill]]He was honored posthumously by the U.S. government when it awarded him the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. A destroyer escort named USS Schmitt was commissioned in 1943 by the Navy in his honor and served the U.S. Navy until 1967 when it was transferred to Taiwan. On October 26, 1948, Loras College dedicated the Father Schmitt Memorial of [[CHRIST THE KING CHAPEL]] in his memory. It contains some of Fr. Schmitt's property that was donated to the school. The Chaplain Schmitt Island in the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]] is the location of [[DUBUQUE GREYHOUND PARK AND CASINO]]. | ||
In 1968 Father Schmitt was honored in Dubuque when | In 1968 Father Schmitt was honored in Dubuque when [[SCHMITT HARBOR]] was named in his honor. A monument shaped like a ship's wheel sinking beneath the waves was placed on the riverbank in 1973. He was honored nationally during the May 21, 1989, dedication of a gray granite monument or Chaplain's Hill at Arlington National Cemetery. The monument honors Roman Catholic priests killed during service in World War II, the [[KOREAN WAR]], or the [[VIETNAM WAR]]. | ||
[[Category: Religious Leader]] | [[Category: Religious Leader]] | ||
[[Category: Military]] | [[Category: Military]] | ||
[[Category: Walk of Honor]] | [[Category: Walk of Honor]] | ||
Revision as of 03:36, 1 October 2010
SCHMITT, Aloysius (Father). (St. Lucas, IA, Dec. 3, 1909--Pearl Harbor, HA, Dec. 7, 1941). Chaplain of the USS Oklahoma. The first chaplain to die in WORLD WAR II, Father Schmitt perished while heroically attempting to save others following the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. His death occurred on the sixth anniversary of his ordination.
Schmitt attended LORAS COLLEGE and after graduation in 1932 studied in Rome for the priesthood. He was ordained on December 8, 1935. Father Schmitt was assigned to parishes in Dubuque including SAINT MARY'S CHURCH and one in Cheyenne, Wyoming. After four years, he received permission to become a chaplain, and joined the United States Navy. He was appointed Acting Chaplain with rank of Lieutenant, Junior Grade (LTJG) on June 28, 1939.
On December 7, 1941, Fr. Schmitt was serving on board the battleship, USS Oklahoma when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. A Japanese hit caused the ship to capsize. A number of sailors, including Fr. Schmitt, were trapped in a compartment with only a small porthole. Fr. Schmitt helped twelve men escape through this porthole declining opportunities for his own rescue.
He was honored posthumously by the U.S. government when it awarded him the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. A destroyer escort named USS Schmitt was commissioned in 1943 by the Navy in his honor and served the U.S. Navy until 1967 when it was transferred to Taiwan. On October 26, 1948, Loras College dedicated the Father Schmitt Memorial of CHRIST THE KING CHAPEL in his memory. It contains some of Fr. Schmitt's property that was donated to the school. The Chaplain Schmitt Island in the MISSISSIPPI RIVER is the location of DUBUQUE GREYHOUND PARK AND CASINO.
In 1968 Father Schmitt was honored in Dubuque when SCHMITT HARBOR was named in his honor. A monument shaped like a ship's wheel sinking beneath the waves was placed on the riverbank in 1973. He was honored nationally during the May 21, 1989, dedication of a gray granite monument or Chaplain's Hill at Arlington National Cemetery. The monument honors Roman Catholic priests killed during service in World War II, the KOREAN WAR, or the VIETNAM WAR.