Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, First Lieutenant Christian Franklin Schilt received the Medal of Honor for his actions between January 6 and 8, 1928 in Quilali, Nicaragua during the Second Nicaraguan Campaign. At the time he was serving with Observation Squadron 7-M. Schilt was 32 years old.
The medal was presented on April 1928 — the White House, presented by Pres. Calvin Coolidge. He later rose to the rank of General.
Schilt was born on March 18, 1895 in Richland County, Illinois. His Medal of Honor is credited to Illinois. Schilt died on January 8, 1987 in Norfolk, Virginia, at the age of 91. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His medal is held by National Museum of the US Marine Corps, Quantico, VA.
Schilt is one of 2 Medal of Honor recipients from the Second Nicaraguan Campaign and one of 210 credited to Illinois.
Official Medal of Honor citation
During the progress of an insurrection at Quilali, Nicaragua, 6, 7, and 8 January 1928, 1st Lt. Schilt, then a member of a Marine expedition which had suffered severe losses in killed and wounded, volunteered under almost impossible conditions to evacuate the wounded by air and to transport a relief commanding officer to assume charge of a very serious situation. First Lt. Schilt bravely undertook this dangerous and important task and, by taking off a total of ten times in the rough, rolling street of a partially burning village, under hostile infantry fire on each occasion, succeeded in accomplishing his mission, thereby actually saving three lives and bringing supplies and aid to others in desperate need.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
During the progress of an insurrection at Quilali, Nicaragua, 6, 7, and 8 January 1928, 1st Lt. Schilt, then a member of a Marine expedition which had suffered severe losses in killed and wounded, volunteered under almost impossible conditions to evacuate the wounded by air and to transport a relief commanding officer to assume charge of a very serious situation.
- Age at death: 91
- Resting place: Arlington National Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Christian Franklin Schilt received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War I, World War II, Korean War.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: Air Corps Tactical School
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Illinois →
Timeline
- March 18, 1895Born in Richland County, Illinois
- January 6 - 8, 1928Act of valor — Quilali, NicaraguaAge 32. Observation Squadron 7-M
- April 1928Medal of Honor presentedThe White House, presented by Pres. Calvin Coolidge
- January 8, 1987Died in Norfolk, VirginiaAge 91.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Christian Frank Schilt (March 19, 1895 – January 8, 1987) was an American general in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was one of the first Marine Corps aviators and a recipient of the United States highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor. He received the Medal for using his biplane to evacuate wounded Marines under fire in Nicaragua. In addition to his actions in Nicaragua he saw action in World War I, the Haitian and Nicaraguan campaigns, World War II and the Korean War. He retired after nearly 40 years of active service and was promoted to the rank of four-star general at retirement.
From the Wikipedia article “Christian F. Schilt”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →