Walter Edgar Schmidt

LIEUTENANT COLONEL WALTER EDGAR "WALLY" SCHMIDT
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Cadet Squadron 07

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Christmas Day in 1936, Walter Edgar "Wally" Schmidt grew up with a passion for track and field, scholarship, and public service. Appointed to the inaugural class of the United States Air Force Academy on July 11, 1955, Schmidt entered as part of the historic group of 306 original cadets selected from across the nation.

Note on USAFA Admission: Historical records and cadet roster notes occasionally reference early cadets entering without a traditional high school diploma; for the pioneer Class of 1959, several candidates were accepted directly through competitive military enlistment pathways, congressional appointments, or specialized preparatory programs prior to the formal conferral of standard high school diplomas, fulfilling rigorous academic testing criteria established for the Academy’s launch.

USAFA YEARS & CAMPUS LEADERSHIP

At the Academy, Schmidt was assigned to Cadet Squadron 07 (CS-07). A dedicated student-athlete and leader, he competed in track and field and served on the editorial staff of Contrails, the cadet handbook that established core traditions for the Air Force Academy Wing.

Upon graduating on June 3, 1959, Schmidt earned his Bachelor of Science degree and commission as a Second Lieutenant. Demonstrating exceptional academic standing, he was chosen as one of only four Olmsted Scholars in the inaugural graduating class.

FLYING OPERATIONS & COMBAT SERVICE

Schmidt completed primary and basic pilot training between 1959 and 1960 at Moore Air Force Base and Webb Air Force Base, Texas. He subsequently served as a T-33 Instructor Pilot with the 3560th Pilot Training Wing at Webb AFB from 1961 to 1964.

Throughout his 24-year military career, Lt Col Schmidt flew over 700 combat sorties during two full combat tours in South Vietnam:

• First Combat Tour (1965): Flew air mobility and special operations missions with the 315th Air Commando Group out of Tan Son Nhut Air Base.
• Second Combat Tour (1970–1971): Flew A-37 Dragonfly light attack aircraft with the 8th Special Operations Squadron out of Bien Hoa Air Base.

For extraordinary heroism and operational achievement in aerial combat, Lt Col Schmidt was awarded 4 Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star Medal, and 25 Air Medals.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & EUROPEAN LIAISON

Following his early combat operations, Schmidt completed his prestigious Olmsted Scholarship at the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo in Mendoza, Argentina (1967). He applied his Spanish fluency as an instructor for the Inter-American Air Forces Academy (IAAFA) Special Air Operations Course at Albrook Air Force Base in the Panama Canal Zone (1969–1970).
His staff and international relations assignments included:
• UNC Yongsan Military Region, South Korea (1973–1975): Served as an International Relations Officer.
• USAFETACC, Sembach Air Base, West Germany (1975–1979): Served as USAF Liaison Officer to the German Luftwaffe. During his tour in Europe, he also taught Government and Politics courses as an adjunct faculty member for the University of Maryland.

Legal Career, Family & Community

Upon retiring from active duty as a Lieutenant Colonel with two master's degrees, Schmidt pursued a career in law. He attended Columbia University School of Law in New York, earning his Juris Doctor in 1982.

Schmidt practiced law internationally and domestically:

• 1980–1984: Associate Attorney at Donovan, Leisure, Newton & Irvine in New York City.
• 1996–1998: Principal Attorney in Lima, Peru, advising on international corporate and civil matters.
• 1998–2010: Private law practice and legal consulting in New Braunfels, Texas.

FAMILY & LEGACY

Schmidt was a devoted father to Heidi, Kathleen, Braha, Fanita, and Sophia. He was preceded in death by his daughter Martha and son Waltercito. He remained close with his USAFA CS-07 roommate and wedding best man, Richard "Dusty" Trail. Walter Schmidt passed away on February 10, 2010, and was laid to rest at Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park in New Braunfels, Texas.

EDUCATION


Bachelor of Science United States Air Force Academy (CS-07) 1959
Olmsted Scholar Studies Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (Mendoza, Argentina) 1967
Master's Degrees (2) Postgraduate Studies (Military/Political Science) Concurrent w/ Service
Juris Doctor (J.D.) Columbia University School of Law (NY) 1982

MEDALS & KEY AWARDS


Distinguished Flying Cross 4 Awards
Bronze Star Medal 1 Award
Air Medal 25 Awards
Air Force Commendation Medal 2 Awards

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS


1959–1960 Pilot Training Moore AFB & Webb AFB, Texas
1961–1964 Instructor Pilot (T-33) 3560th Pilot Training Wing, Webb AFB, Texas
1965 Pilot (C-123 / Special Operations) 315th Air Commando Group, Tan Son Nhut AB, South Vietnam
1967 Olmsted Scholar Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
1969–1970 Instructor IAAFA Special Air Operations Course, Albrook AFB, Canal Zone
1970–1971 Combat Pilot (A-37) 8th Special Operations Squadron, Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam
1973–1975 International Relations Officer UNC Yongsan Military Region, South Korea
1975–1979 USAF Liaison Officer to Luftwaffe Det 1, USAFETACC, Sembach Air Base, West Germany
1980–1984 Associate Attorney Donovan, Leisure, Newton & Irvine, New York, NY
1996–1998 Principal Attorney Private Practice, Lima, Peru
1998–2010 Attorney & Legal Consultant Private Practice, New Braunfels, Texas