Bill Schmidt
| Date and Place of Birth: | July 30, 1920 New York, NY |
| Date and Place of Death: | November 24, 1943 Gilbert Islands |
| Baseball Experience: | College |
| Position: | Unknown |
| Rank: | Ensign |
| Military Unit: | US Navy |
| Area Served: | Pacific Theater of Operations |
Bill Schmidt was an excellent college athlete who
participated in many sports. He joined the Navy as soon as he graduated
and survived just one month in combat in the Pacific.
William C. Schmidt Jr., was born on July 30, 1920 in New York city. He
attended Kent School in Connecticut where he participated in baseball,
soccer, hockey, squash and football.
Schmidt then attended Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts
where he continued his athletic participation. Schmidt played soccer,
hockey and football - he was captain of the baseball team his sophomore
year and college squash champion.
Schmidt graduated from Williams in February 1942 and immediately entered
the Naval Reserve. He trained at Columbia University's Midshipman's
School in New York and graduated with the rank of ensign.
While awaiting overseas duty, Bill Schmidt married Anne Lyon on August
2, 1943. Schmidt left for the Pacific on the USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56),
an escort carrier on October 21, 1943. Ensign Schmidt was gunnery
officer and athletic director on the brand new ship that was skippered
by his uncle, Captain I D Wiltsie.
The carrier arrived at Pearl Harbor one week later where operational
exercises were carried out. On November 10, 1943, she joined TF52,
Northern Attack Force, bound for the invasion of the Gilbert Islands.
The United States' first major thrust into the central Pacific began on
November 20, and Liscome Bay's airplanes played a vital part in
neutralizing enemy airfields and supporting ground operations.
With the island secured, the task force began to leave the area. At 0510
on November 24, 1943, as Liscome Bay was 20 miles southwest of
Butaritari Island and flight crews were preparing for a dawn mission, a
torpedo from the Japanese submarine I-175, struck the Liscome Bay near
the engine room causing a huge explosion. The aircraft carrier listed to
starboard and 20 minutes later she sank. 591 crew members lost their
lives including Ensign Bill Schmidt and his uncle Captain Wiltsie. 272
were rescued.
Bill Schmidt was originally listed as missing in action, and on December
21 a memorial service was held at Thompson Memorial Chapel at Williams
College. It was a year later that his death was officially confirmed. "I
received in this morning's mail," wrote his father, William Schmidt, to
Phinney Baxter, president of Williams College on December 5, 1944, "an
official communication from the Secretary of the Navy to the effect that
Billy must be presumed killed in action in the Pacific."
The escort carrier USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56)
Thanks to Linda Hall, Archives Assistant at
Williams College for taking the time to research much of this
information and mail it to me.
Date Added February 5, 2013 Updated July 23, 2013
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