Jonathan P. Schmidt

Born May 4, 1984 in Miami, FL, he was the son of Philip Schmidt and Leeann (Arevalo) Schmidt.

Jonathan was a 2003 graduate of Thomas Dale High School, Petersburg, VA. He enlisted in the US Army in July 2003 as a 37F, Psychological Operations Specialist. After Basic Training and Airborne school at Ft. Benning, GA, he completed MOS training in November 2004 at Ft. Bragg, NC. He was assigned to Bravo Company, 8th Psychological Operations Battalion in November 2004 and was immediately deployed to Iraq to August 2006. In November 2006, SSG Schmidt volunteered to become an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician. He graduated EOD School at Eglin AFB, FL in March 2008 and returned to Ft. Bragg, NC with an assignment to the 737th Ordnance Company, supporting Homeland Defense operations, and later to his current assignment with the 767th Ordnance Company (EOD). He became a certified EOD team leader in May 2009, and supported the 82nd Airborne Division as part of the Global Response Force. He led a team during rotation of duty at the White House and later integrated his team with 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne). He deployed to Afghanistan in January 2012 with the 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) and supported the training of Afghan Commandos for eight months. He was with the 192nd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, 20th Support Command (CBRNE). SSG Schmidt’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, The combat Action Medal, The Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, The Army Good Conduct Medal (third award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, and the Army Service Ribbon. SSG Schmidt was also (remove been) awarded the Army Parachutist Badge and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Basic and Senior Badges. Jonathan was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed camping, hiking, and fishing. He enjoyed cooking and entertaining with family and friends as well as working in his garage with his Harley and Excursion vehicles.

Surviving are his loving wife, Natalie M. (Lipsie) Schmidt, who he married December 19, 2006, of Raeford, NC, formerly of Leechburg, PA, his son, Aiden L. Schmidt at home, his mothers, Leeann Schmidt and Tammy Sheaffer of Petersburg, VA, his father, Philip Schmidt and his wife Bernadette and his younger brother, Brandon Schmidt , of Albuquerque, NM, and grandparents Cathy Hoffman and Johnny Arevalo and Aunt and Uncle Terri and Richard Chandres all of South Florida as well as an Aunt and Uncle Robin and Ronald Rabikow of Vandergrift, PA. Aunt and Uncle Billie Joe Nabors and Patrick Sheaffer and Grandfather Lisle Sheaffer. He was preceded into death by his grandmother, Nell Sheaffer of Vandergrift, PA.

Burial with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorial donations in Jonathan's memory can be made out to EOD Memorial Foundation, 822 Coldwater Creek Circle, Niceville, FL 32578-1658 or www.EODmemorial.org/donations.