Eternal Patrol: Ervin Schmidt

World War II submarine veteran, Pearl Harbor survivor, Holland Club, and Seattle Base member Ervin Schmidt departed on Eternal Patrol on March 9, 2014.

Ervin joined the Navy in 1940 and was on the battleship USS California during the December 7 attack on Pearl Harbor. When the crew of the damaged battleship was sent out to other ships, Ervin ended up on the heavy cruiser USS Chicago (CA-29). While on Chicago, Ervin took part in the Battle of Coral Sea, the invasion of Guadalcanal, the Battle of Savo Island, and the Battle of Rennell Island, where Chicago was sunk by Japanese torpedo bombers. After that Ervin transferred to USS Saury (SS-189) and made 4 war patrols on the sub. He was then rotated back to the US becoming a plankowner on USS Torsk (SS-423) and was on board for the final U.S. submarine torpedo attack of World War II. 

Please remember Ervin’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

Sailor, Rest Your Oar