USS Oklahoma Unknown Herman Schmidt to Be Interred at Arlington National Cemetery-- Part 2

More than 81 years after his death, Schmidt's body is finally nearing the end of its earthly journey.  On February 24, 2023,  the young Wyoming man, whose remains were interred for decades in a national cemetery in Hawaii, albeit unknown, will be interred with highest honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Gary Bishop of Buffalo was born twenty years after his  great uncle Herman Schmidt, died.  He recalls hearing his grandfather's brother growing up about the tragic loss that left a mark on his family.  But he didn't know much more about his mother's uncle.

"We knew that he was on the Oklahoma and that he called Sheridan his home.  Gary's grandfather Ed (Herman's brother) had moved to Buffalo in the 1930s.

Bishop shared a postcard that was sent to his grandfather in 1937 by Herman Schmidt after he had been assigned to the Oklahoma.

"Dear  Brother," reads the postcard dated  Sept. 24, 1937.  "Arrived yesterday.  Leave in the morning on U.S.S. Longely to San Perdo.  Will be stationed on the  U.S.S. Oklahoma.  Will write all about my trip after I get straightened out.  Herm."

The postcard was addressed simply to "Mr. Edward Schmit, Clearmont, Wyo."

The USS Longely Herm was referring to was actually the USS Langley, the Navy's first aircraft carrier, which by 19397 had been converted into a seaplane tender.

At the time he was killed, Herman Schmidt had a wife and a one-year-old son, Nick..

--GreGen