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<em>Charles Thomas Schmitt</em> was born in Orange, CA, the only son of the five children born to Charles and Angela Schmitt. Tom’s four sisters were Marilyn, twins Gretchen and Susan, and Betsy. Destined for a military career, Tom grew up in Anaheim, where he graduated from St. Catherine’s Military School. Attending St. Catherine’s from second through ninth grade had a major impact on the development of Tom’s strength of character. While attending the school, where his father, MAJ Schmitt, was the commandant, Tom worked his way up to battalion commander, the top student position. He lived in the dormitory virtually across the parade field from his parents’ home. This encouraged Tom to become self-reliant at an early age. Just prior to his graduation from St. Catherine’s, Tom was caught smoking and reduced to the rank of private by his father. This bolt of lightning in Tom’s life forged humility and humor in his character that helped him to lead and protect the soldiers soon to be under his command.</p>
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In 1955, Senator Thomas Kuechle of California appointed Tom to West Point as a member of the Class of ’59. During his Plebe year at the Academy, Tom had numerous knee injuries that kept him out of class and eventually led to his being turned back to the Class of ’60, Company D-1. With his keen sense of humor, Tom was a great addition to the class. He was a member of the ski team, glee club, cadet acting troop, and choir. In his First Class year, he was promoted to the rank of company first sergeant. Upon graduation, Tom was commissioned in the Air Defense Artillery.</p>
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After the customary months of training for new Air Defense Artillery officers (the Basic Course, Air Defense Weapons Familiarization, Ranger training, CBR training, and Nike Hercules Pre-Fire), Tom married Judy Brennan, his love from West Point days, at St. Catherine’s Church in Anaheim in May 1961. Tom and Judy had three children: Andrew ’84, Timothy, and Cynthia. Tom and Judy’s first assignment together was in Karlsruhe, Germany, where Tom served with the 56th Artillery.</p>
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In 1964, upon completion of that tour, Tom resigned from the Army and went to Columbia University, earning an MBA in 1965. He rejoined the Army and the Artillery in 1966 and served two tours in Viet Nam. In 1969 he became an instructor in the Department of Military Arts and Science at West Point. The Army then sent Tom to the University of Denver, where he earned a master’s degree in English. Tom then returned to West Point, where he taught in the Department of English—the very department in which he was turned out as a cadet in 1955! In 1977, Tom left the Army as a major with almost 16 years of service. Tom’s service decorations included the Bronze Star, Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal with one silver service star, Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal with device, and the Republic of Viet Nam Gallantry Award.</p>
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Throughout his military career, Tom continued the traits of leadership he learned in his early years: leading by example, humility, a great sense of humor, and a genuine interest in those who served with and under him, to name just a few. His personal interests while in the Army were reading, writing, hiking, skiing, skydiving, and coaching youth soccer groups at West Point, though his skydiving activities proved to be a little more dangerous than anticipated when an accident at West Point resulted in a broken back.</p>
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After departing the Army, Tom continued his active life. In 1978, he joined the sales and marketing branch of Standard Brands of Minnesota and helped launch the “Reggie Jackson” candy bar. He was later promoted to president of TA White in San Francisco, a division of Standard Brands. Tom then worked for Harmony Foods in Santa Cruz, CA, and later as vice president of sales and marketing for Trebor Confections in Melville, NY. But as one might suspect, the corporate world was not Tom’s first love. His passions were patriotism, teaching, and writing. In 1988, he returned to the military under a civilian contract teaching at Army and Navy bases in Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Missouri, New York, and Virginia. His teaching positions even included a stint on the USS <em>Saratoga</em> during the Gulf War.</p>
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In 1990, Tom married Virginia Winter, and they resided in Hague, NY, a small vacation hamlet in upstate New York on the shores of Lake George. In his later years with Virginia, Tom enjoyed hiking the New York hills, reading, and writing. He worked continuously on poems and essays, mostly about Viet Nam, and a fictional book on Viet Nam he never quite finished. Tom also was a guest lecturer in English and philosophy classes at Norwich University in Vermont.</p>
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Those of us who knew Tom remember a resolute man of quiet, strong character with a wonderful sense of humor and the dramatic ability to be the consummate master of ceremonies. Tom was a born teacher and leader continually admired for his wit, charm, and intelligence. He left life too early, and has now joined that Long Gray Line before us.</p>