1st Lt. John W. Schmidt

1st Lt. John W. Schmidt was the pilot of  the F-89 which crashed into a marsh at the edge of Lake Wingra, in Madison, Wisconsin, on the same day the F-89 disappeared over Lake Superior.

He was a veteran of the World War II, where he served as a fighter pilot in the Pacific region. His hometown was Del Rio, Texas.

He was married with a two year old son and pregnant wife at the time of his death. He was a neighbor and friend of Gene Moncla, his apartment was just a few yards behind the Moncla's apartment in Madison.

In his surviving portrait he has a grim expression. In my "memories as Moncla", I recall him as somewhat shy but friendly. As the father of a young son who was the same age as Gene Moncla's son, him and Gene shared much in common.

I am interested in hearing from any surviving relatives or friends of Lt. John Schmidt.