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Photo # NH 45855:  First Lieutenant Christian F. Schilt, USMC

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

General Christian F. Schilt, USMC, (Retired), (1895-1987)

Christian Frank Schilt was born on 19 March 1895 in Richland County, Illinois. He enlisted in the U.S. Marines from that state in June 1917, a few months after the United States entered World War I, subsequently serving in the Azores as an enlisted man with a Marine aviation unit. Following flight training, in June 1919 Schilt was designated a Naval Aviator and received his commission in the rank of Second Lieutenant. During the next eight years, he had aviation assignments in the Dominican Republic, Haiti and the continental U.S. His commission was made permanent following attendance at the Marine Officers' Training School, and in May 1924 he was promoted to First Lieutenant. In the mid-1920s, while stationed at Quantico, Virginia, he was a member of the Navy-Marine Corps air racing team. Schilt served in Nicaragua with Observation Squadron 7-M in 1927-1929. On 6-8 January 1928, his extraordinary flying, in the face of hostile fire, was vital to saving the lives of several wounded men and the resupply of an endangered Marine force. For his actions on these occasions, First Lieutenant Schilt was awarded the Medal of Honor .

Back in the U.S., between 1929 and 1934 Schilt commanded a fighting squadron, served as a test pilot at the Naval Aircraft Factory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and underwent further Marine Corps and aviation training. Promoted to Captain in May 1934, he spent most of the rest of the decade as a staff officer and squadron commander. In 1938-1940 Major Schilt was Executive Officer of the Marine Corps Air Station, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and in 1941 was briefly an Assistant Naval Attache for Air at the American Embassy in London, England. Returning to Quantico in August 1941, he served with First Marine Aircraft Wing. During World War II, he moved up swiftly in rank, becoming a Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel in 1942, Brigadier General and Major General in 1944. He commanded Marine air units during the Guadalcanal Campaign and the subsequent assault up the Solomons chain, was Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina in 1943 and 1944 and later led the Ninth Marine Aircraft Wing. Back in the Pacific war zone, in 1945 Major General Schilt was Island Commander on Peleliu and, as the war with Japan ended and occupation operations began, commanded Marine aviation forces on Okinawa.

Following his return to the United States in March 1946, Major General Schilt commanded Marine Air Reserve Training. He became Chief of Staff of the Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, in 1949. During 1951-1955, commanded the First Marine Aircraft Wing in Korea, was Deputy Commander, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, and Commanding General, Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. Promoted to Lieutenant General in August 1955, he was Director of Aviation at Marine Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C., until retiring in April 1957. His distinguished combat record resulted in elevation to the retired rank of General. Christian F. Schilt died on 8 January 1987 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

This page features all the images we have concerning Christian F. Schilt.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 45855

First Lieutenant Christian F. Schilt, USMC


A 1925 photographic portrait, probably taken at Quantico, Virginia.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 60KB; 570 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 45854

First Lieutenant Christian F. Schilt, USMC


Standing beside a Curtiss F6C fighter aircraft at Naval Air Station, Anacostia, Washington, D.C. in August 1925.
First Lieutenant Schilt was to have piloted a Marine Martin Bomber or a Navy DT-4 in the Detroit News Air Transport Trophy meet on 9 October 1925.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 52KB; 575 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 45819

President Calvin Coolidge

and
First Lieutenant Christian F. Schilt, USMC

At the White House on the occasion of the presentation of the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant Schilt, circa 1928.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 55KB; 580 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 50746

U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Aviators


View of a group of Marine and Navy Aviators standing by a Curtiss F6C-1 (BuNo. A-6968), probably at Anacostia Naval Air Station, Washington, D.C., circa 1925. Aviators present are, left to right:
Lieutenant George R. Henderson, USN,
Lieutenant Samuel P. Ginder, USN,
Lieutenant George T. Cuddihy, USN,
Lieutenant Junior Grade Alford J. Williams, USN,
Lieutenant James D. Barner, USN,
First Lieutenant Ford O. Rogers, USMC,
First Lieutenant Christian F. Schilt, USMC, and
First Lieutenant Harmon J. Norton, USMC

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 61KB; 740 x 575 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105359

U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Aviators


Marine Corps and Navy Aviators standing by a Curtiss F6C-1 (BuNo. A-6968), probably at Anacostia Naval Air Station, Washington, D.C., circa Summer 1925. They would soon take part in the International Air Races held at Mitchell Field, Long Island, New York on 8, 9, and 10 October 1925 and the Schneider Cup Race held near Baltimore at Bay Shore, Maryland on 24 October 1925. Present are, left to right:
Lieutenant George R. Henderson, USN, Pilot in the Liberty Engine Builders Trophy Race, 8 October
Lieutenant Frank H. Conant, USN, Reserve pilot in Schneider Cup Race, 24 October
Lieutenant Samuel P. Ginder, USN, Pilot in Detroit News Air Transport Race, 9 October
Lieutenant George T. Cuddihy, USN, Pilot in the Schneider Cup Race, 24 October
Lieutenant Junior Grade Alford J. Williams, USN, Pilot in the Pulitzer Trophy Race, 10 October.
Lieutenant James D. Barner, USN, Pilot in the Detroit News Air Transport Race, 9 October
First Lieutenant Ford O. Rogers, USMC, Pilot in the Liberty Engine Builders Race, 8 October
Lieutenant Thomas P. Jeter, USN, Pilot in the Liberty Engine Builders Race, 8 October
First Lieutenant Christian F. Schilt, USMC, Pilot in the Detroit News Air Transport Race, 9 October, and
First Lieutenant Harmon J. Norton, USMC, Pilot in the Pulitzer Trophy Race, 10 October

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 60KB; 740 x 575 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105697

Schneider Cup Air Race, November 1926


Rear Admiral William A. Moffett, USN, Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics, shakes hands with Lieutenant William G. Tomlinson, USN, one of the Navy pilots participating in the Schneider Cup race. Between them is Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Aeronautics Edward P. Warner. Also present are two of the other Navy racing team pilots, Lieutenant George T. Cuddihy, USN (far left) and First Lieutenant Christian F. Schilt, USMC (2nd from left).
Location is probably Naval Air Station, Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C.. Collection of Captain John Lansing Callan, USN.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 60KB; 740 x 545 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 92016

"Operation Remember" Luncheon

Honoring Navy and Marine Corps Leaders of World War II. Photographed in the Hunt Room, Club "21", New York City, New York, 2 May 1957.
Those present are identified on Photo # NH 92016 (complete caption).
Note the trophy animal heads, horns and beer steins decorating the walls.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 530 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of First Lieutenant Christian Frank Schilt, USMC (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 128):

"During the progress of an insurrection at Quilali, Nicaragua, 6, 7, and 8 January 1928, Lieutenant Schilt, then a member of a Marine Expedition which had suffered severe losses in killed and wounded volunteered under almost impossible conditions to evacuate the wounded by air, and transport a relief commanding officer to assume charge of a very serious situation. First Lieutenant Schilt bravely undertook this dangerous and important task and, by taking off a total of 10 times in the rough, rolling street of a partially burning village, under hostile infantry fire on each occasion, succeeded in accomplishing his mission, thereby actually saving three lives and bringing supplies and aid to others in desperate need."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 15 December 2007
New image added 23 May 2008