Schmidt,  joined the Army out of Reedley High School, in 1944. He was sent to Europe. He entered as a private and eventually was promoted to master sergeant.

Serving with the Army’s 90th Infantry Division, Schmidt helped liberate nearly 40,000 prisoners from the Nazi concentration camp in Flossenburg.

“I’m so proud to have been able to be back there so many times and be with these people and share my part, way back on April 23rd, 1945,” Schmidt said.