George Edward Schmidt was born on September 28, 1913, in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. He was the son of George Michael Schmidt and Anna Margaret Becker Schmidt. He served in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, as a Second Lieutenant during World War II.

On June 6, 1944, 2Lt Schmidt was Killed in Action by a German sniper as they attacked Les Druries and Addeville. He is now buried in Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer, Departement du Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France. On October 28, 1944, he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroic actions the day he was dead.

Distinguished Service Cross Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) George E. Schmidt (ASN: 0-1303955), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in France. Second Lieutenant Schmidt landed by parachute with his battalion in the vicinity of St. Come-du-Mont, France. Due to a heavy concentration of machine gun and mortar fire from nearby enemy positions, the battalion had much difficulty in assembling but Second Lieutenant Schmidt, the first officer from his company to reach the assembly area, immediately assumed command and made repeated trips to the drop zone to bring back men and equipment. By his continuous and diligent efforts, he was successful in assembling an effective fighting force. Second Lieutenant Schmidt then skillfully deployed his men along the route of advance. Extremely heavy enemy fire suddenly pinned down the entire battalion. Second Lieutenant Schmidt, displaying outstanding leadership, placed his men in advantageous positions and ordered them to maintain a fast rate of fire in order to deceive the enemy as to the strength of his force. In an attempt to locate enemy snipers who were firing on his men, he exposed himself to enemy fire. Although he received a head wound he continued to search until he had spotted the snipers. While directing fire of his own machine gun upon these snipers, he was wounded. During the entire action he displayed outstanding courage, devotion to duty, and complete disregard for his personal safety. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army.