CALIFORNIA
Lt. Col. Benjamin G. Schmidt
Lt. Col. Benjamin Schmidt commanded a squadron of F-35B planes out of Yuma, AZ. His unit was to be deployed for seven months beginning April 1, 2024. Unfortunately, the USS Boxer's rudder broke down 11 days after sailing out of San Diego, California, headed for the South China Sea. Schmidt had to command some of his squadron, which was sent to Iwakuni, Japan, while the rest returned to Yuma, AZ base.
Finally, on July 1, 2024, the rest of the squadron left on the USS Boxer for the South China Sea, Japan, the Philippines, Hawaii, and Guam. Schmidt's crew trained with the South Koreans and Japanese. Schmidt's commanding Colonel and Brigadier General from Miramar Master-at-Arms (MA) had nothing but praise for the calm command and actions of Lt. Col. Schmidt. Officers under Schmidt's command had nothing but praise for his leadership. The USS Boxer returned to port in San Diego in late November 2024. On December 13, 2024, the Yuma MA held a change of command ceremony for Schmidt and commended him for a job well done.
Location: California
Submitted by: Miles V. Schmidt
William Edward Nay
William’s military heritage includes his fourth-great-grandfather Joseph Nay, who fought in the American Revolution.
His own military service spans 30 years: 10 years of active duty in the Marine Corps, and 20 years in the Marine Corps Reserve. He served in the USMC 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam in 1969 and was stationed at Camp Pendleton from 1970-1977. William was part of the Marine Security Detail for President Nixon at the Western White House.
During his active-duty years, he mainly served in the Military Police and Criminal Investigation Division (CID). In the reserve he was a master instructor in Primary Leadership Development. He was also a Nuclear, Biological, Chemical specialist. After active duty he became a career bureaucrat in Washington, D.C. for 14 years and was the National Security Advisor to the Director of Science in the U.S. Department of Energy.
Over the course of his life, William retired from four entities: Marine Corps; federal government as a GS-15-080; state government, University of California Police Department; and Nay Consulting Service - independent consultant.
A life member of the Marine Corps League, the AMVETS, VFW, and DAV, he is past president of the Redwood Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and was presented the Humanitarian Service Medal for his work at the Vietnamese Refugee Center at Camp Pendleton in 1975. A Distinguished Alumni of Alpha Phi Sigma, National Criminal Justice Honor Society, he mentors criminal justice students.
William and his wife Karen have been married for more than 50 years and have many grandchildren. His activity in Scouts BSA earned him the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Silver Beaver. Karen’s father was also a Marine and spent 24 years in the Marine Corps, with service in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.
His own military service spans 30 years: 10 years of active duty in the Marine Corps, and 20 years in the Marine Corps Reserve. He served in the USMC 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam in 1969 and was stationed at Camp Pendleton from 1970-1977. William was part of the Marine Security Detail for President Nixon at the Western White House.
During his active-duty years, he mainly served in the Military Police and Criminal Investigation Division (CID). In the reserve he was a master instructor in Primary Leadership Development. He was also a Nuclear, Biological, Chemical specialist. After active duty he became a career bureaucrat in Washington, D.C. for 14 years and was the National Security Advisor to the Director of Science in the U.S. Department of Energy.
Over the course of his life, William retired from four entities: Marine Corps; federal government as a GS-15-080; state government, University of California Police Department; and Nay Consulting Service - independent consultant.
A life member of the Marine Corps League, the AMVETS, VFW, and DAV, he is past president of the Redwood Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and was presented the Humanitarian Service Medal for his work at the Vietnamese Refugee Center at Camp Pendleton in 1975. A Distinguished Alumni of Alpha Phi Sigma, National Criminal Justice Honor Society, he mentors criminal justice students.
William and his wife Karen have been married for more than 50 years and have many grandchildren. His activity in Scouts BSA earned him the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Silver Beaver. Karen’s father was also a Marine and spent 24 years in the Marine Corps, with service in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.
Location: Petaluma, California
Submitted by: Marj Frew