Medal of Merit recipient recognized

Assemblyman Jim Hayes, left, presented the New York State Medal for Merit to William Henry Schmidt of Amherst during a recognition ceremony Friday. Schmidt is joined by his wife Doris. Schmidt served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve as a private first class from Nov. 12, 1942 through Nov. 5, 1945.

Assemblyman Jim Hayes, R-Amherst, presented the New York State Medal for Merit to William Henry Schmidt of Amherst during a recognition ceremony held Friday in Hayes' Williamsville district office.

Schmidt served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve as a private first class from Nov. 12, 1942 through Nov. 5, 1945. He was assigned duties of rifle marksman and had special military qualifications as a machine gun crewman.

He was stationed in the Asiatic Pacific area and participated in action against the enemy at Okinawa from April to June 1945.

Schmidt resides in Amherst with his wife of 58 years, Doris. They have two children and one grandson.

The New York State Medal for Merit recognizes Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard veterans whose service on federal active duty was honorable and who were recipients of a qualifying valor, achievement, commendation, or meritorious service decoration, or whose meritorious service was in direct support of combat operations.