Colonel Schmitz

John G. Schmitz was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in 1952. After earning his pilot wings in 1954, he was assigned to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, flying F2H4 Banshees and F9F8 Cougars in VMF-114, the first operational Marine Corps jet fighter squadron. He subsequently qualified as a helicopter pilot, served as Officer in Charge of VMO-2 (Det. A) in Mt. Fuji, Japan, and lectured on Communism at the Fleet Marine Force Pacific Leadership School at MCAS El Toro, California, until 1960. In the Reserves, he rose to the rank of Colonel, and served as Commanding Officer of MTU (AVN-7) at MCAS El Toro, California.