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<\/a><\/center><\/p>\nThe Navy writes to tell us that the Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer has awarded medals to Chaplain Lt. j.g. Aloysious H. Schmitt and Chief Boatswain\u2019s Mate Joseph L. George for their actions during the Japanese attack on US Naval forces on December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor, Hawai’i.<\/p>\n
Navy Chief of Chaplains Rear Adm. Margaret Kibben will present the Silver Star Medal to a member of Schmitt\u2019s family during a ceremony on the campus of Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa on Dec. 7. The 8:45 a.m. (Central time) presentation ceremony will be preceded by a special Catholic mass in a campus chapel previously dedicated to Schmitt, and in which his remains are interred.<\/p>\n
The Bronze Star Medal will be presented by Rear Adm. Matthew J. Carter deputy commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, to George\u2019s daughter, Joe Ann Taylor, on Dec. 7 during a 4:30 p.m. (Hawaii-Aleutian time) ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor.<\/p>\n
“The presentation of the medals is not only appropriate but simply the right thing to do,” said Spencer. “One of my highest priorities is to honor the service and sacrifice of our Sailors, Marines, Civilians, and family members and it is clear that Lt. Schmitt and Chief George are heroes whose service and sacrifice will stand as an example for current and future service members.”<\/p>\n
In October 1942 Schmitt was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the Navy\u2019s award for non-combat heroism. The Navy later published a clearer definition of combat for award purposes, making. Schmitt was retroactively eligible for the Silver Star Medal, the military’s third-highest personal decoration for valor in combat. Schmitt\u2019s family petitioned the Navy to upgrade his recognition to a combat valor award.<\/p>\n
Similarly, in 1942 George was officially commended by his commanding officer following the attack, but he was not awarded any medal. Lauren Bruner and Don Stratton, two of the USS Arizona Sailors saved by George\u2019s actions, petitioned for him to be presented a medal.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Stars & Stripes<\/a> reported that Chaplain Schmitt’s earthly remains were identified last year. <\/p>\n
The battleship, which had a complement of about 1,300, quickly rolled over in 50 feet of water, trapping hundreds of men below decks.<\/p>\n
Thirty-two were saved by rescue crews who heard them banging for help, cut into the hull and made their way through a maze of darkened, flooded compartments to reach them.<\/p>\n
Others managed to escape by swimming underwater to find their way out. Some trapped sailors tried to stem the rushing water with rags and even the board from a game. One distraught man tried to drown himself.<\/p>\n
A few managed to escape through portholes – saved by brave comrades such as Father Schmitt, who is said to have helped as many as 12 sailors get out of a small compartment.<\/p>\n
He was posthumously given the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism.<\/p>\n
The medal citation states that after helping several shipmates to safety, he got stuck in the porthole as other sailors tried to pull him through.<\/p>\n
“Realizing that other men had come into the compartment looking for a way out, Chaplain Schmitt insisted that he be pushed back into the ship so that they might escape,” the citation says.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n