Seaman Otto Diller Schmidt, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on July 21, 1905 at San Diego harbor on board U.S.S. Bennington, California — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1899 - 1910 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Bennington. Schmidt was 21 years old.
10 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Schmidt was born on August 10, 1883 in Blair, Washington County, Nebraska. His Medal of Honor is credited to Nebraska. Schmidt died on February 9, 1963 in Nebraska, at the age of 79. He is buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Norfolk, Nebraska. His medal is held by Elkhorn Valley Museum and Research Center, Norfolk, NE.
Official Medal of Honor citation
While serving on board the U.S.S. Bennington for extraordinary heroism displayed at the time of the explosion of a boiler of that vessel at San Diego, Cal., 21 July 1905.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Spanish–American War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Nebraska →
Timeline
- August 10, 1883Born in Blair, Washington County, Nebraska
- July 21, 1905Act of valor — San Diego harbor on board U.S.S. Bennington, CaliforniaAge 21. U.S.S. Bennington
- February 9, 1963Died in NebraskaAge 79.
- Resting placeProspect Hill CemeteryNorfolk, Nebraska
Biography
Otto Diller Schmidt (August 10, 1884 – February 10, 1963) was a seaman serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.
From the Wikipedia article “Otto Diller Schmidt”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
