Victor Schmidt - Georgia

Gender: Female

Hometown: Georgia

Military Status: Veteran

About Me:
Retired U.S. Coast Guard Captain Victor Anthony Guminski Schmidt, 81, a 33-year resident of Alaska, including Juneau and Anchorage, died on April 30 at Alaska Regional Hospital after a long struggle with cancer.

Visitation will be at Witzleben Bragaw Chapel from Noon to 1:00 p.m. on May 4, 2000, followed by a short prayer service conducted by Pastor Rick Cavens of St Mark Lutheran Church. At 2:00 p.m. burial with full military honors will be at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery. A military honor guard of will serve as pallbearers.

Capt. Schmidt was born in Americus, Georgia on 1 October 1918. The son of an Army Officer, he lived on many posts in the United States, Philippines and territory of Hawaii. He was graduated from Leonardo High School in New Jersey in 1937. He graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in May 1941 with a Bachelors of Science in mechanical engineering and was commissioned an Ensign. He participated in the invasion of North Africa at Fedela in November 1942. In June 1943 he was ordered to flight training and received his wings at Pensacola in February 1944. He served at Coast Guard Air Stations from San Diego, California to Argentia, Newfoundland, flying anti-submarine patrols, search and rescue, law enforcement missions, and North Atlantic ice patrols.

In June 1955 Capt. Schmidt returned to sea duty as Executive Officer of the Coast Guard Cutter BIBB. He then served in administrative shore positions until ordered to sea again in 1959 as commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter HUMBOLDT. Following this duty, he served as Director of Coast Guard Reserve in the Third Coast Guard District in New York, followed by a tour of duty as Chief, Coast Guard Intelligence in Washington, D.C. His final orders were to Juneau, AK where he served as Chief of Staff, 17th Coast Guard District. He retired from the Coast Guard in August 1971.

Following retirement, he worked for the State of Alaska preparing a tanker control plan for the Port of Valdez. He was then appointed Director, State Division of Aviation. In April 1972 he was appointed the State's Supervisor of Construction for the building of the State ferry COLUMBIA in the Lockheed Shipbuilding yards in Seattle. The COLUMBIA was completed and delivered to the State in July 1974 and Capt. Schmidt retired a second time.

He enjoyed gold panning, collecting coins and fine ivory pieces. He also devoted a lot of time serving as his Coast Guard Academy Class correspondent

Capt. Schmidt is survived by his wife of 58 years, Helen, of Anchorage; his daughter Stephanie, of Anchorage; and his son Victor, of Silver Spring, Maryland.

For information regarding services, please call 277-1682. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Charity of choice.