Joseph Schmidt (d. 2004) served in the United States Military during WWII. He was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, “The Big Red One” and was shipped to Tunisia, North Africa for his first campaign of heavy fighting. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for exemplary conduct in ground combat. His next mission was the invasion of Sicily. On June 6, 1944, he landed on Omaha Beach and was promoted from Private to Sergeant on that day. On July 21, 1944, he received his second bronze star by crossing over open terrain under enemy machine gunfire to rescue a seriously wounded member of his squad. He received a citation for the Silver Star, on October 15, 1944, by assaulting an enemy Pillbox, crossing open terrain under heavy fire and placing dynamite near steel door structures. When German soldiers realized they were trapped, they surrendered. He then fought in the Battle of The Bulge and was awarded his fifth Purple Heart on January 28, 1945. During his wartime service, he was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star with cluster, Purple Heart with 4 clusters, Bronze Arrowhead, Distinguished Unit Badge, European African-Middle Eastern Service, Medal Combat Infantry Badge and six Battle Stars. He is buried in Calverton Cemetery.