NK Vietnam Veteran Honored Posthumously for War Service

A late North Kingstown native and Vietnam veteran has received long overdue military honors.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed hosted a special medal ceremony earlier this month to posthumously award Vietnam War Navy Veteran Knute M. Schmidt, Jr., formerly of North Kingstown, with the military honors he earned in combat. Reed presented the awards to Captain Schmidt’s wife of 33 years, Marianne.

After joining up in December 1964 at just 23 years old, Capt. Schmidt served his country for 33 years in the U.S. Navy, which included three tours of duty during the Vietnam War. Throughout the years, Schmidt served aboard the USS Oriskany (CVA-34), the USS Joseph Strauss (DDG-1), and the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). It was his final assignment with the Navy that brought him to Rhode Island, where he served as Officer In Command of the Naval Intelligence Attachment at the Naval War College in Newport.

Captain Schmidt was an active member of his church and community during his retirement, and he frequently volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and the Newport Tall Ships Festival.

Reed presented Capt. Schmidt’s widow with the military honors he earned in combat during the Vietnam War but never received, including the Legion of Merit Award, a Bronze Star, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal, among others.

Besides his wife and his daughter, Sonja, Capt. Schmidt is survived by his younger brother, Rear Admiral William R. Schmidt, US Navy Retired, and 7 nieces and nephews. He passed away on November 9, 2013 at the age of 72.