Honored this month with a display of his decorations and memorabilia on the wall of the Warrior Room is Kurt Schmucker.

Kurt was born in 1961 on an army base and raised as an "Army Brat"  on posts throughout the U.S. and Germany. He enlisted in the Navy in 1983  as a Firecontrolman (missile troubleshoot and repair) and after boot camp, Basic Electricity and Electronics, Firecontrolman A, Close In Weapons System C and Harpoon C schools, joined the fleet aboard USS Rathburne FF-1057. Future sea assignments were aboard USS San Jacinto CG 56 (he was a  plank owner) and USS John L Hall FFG-32. Kurt was stationed throughout the U.S. and sailed everywhere except the North Atlantic. He retired and was  honorably discharged May 1, 2004 with more than 21 years active duty as  a Chief Petty Officer, E-7.

Kurt's decorations include the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Badge and the following 24 medals and ribbons: 2 Navy Commendation, 3  Navy Achievement, Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Battle Efficiency, 5 Navy Good Conduct, 2 National  Defense Service, 2 Southwest Asia Service, Global War on Terrorism Service, 4 Sea Service, Expert Rifle and Marksman Pistol.

He joined our post as a life member in September 1995 and retains his membership here although he lives in Gautier, Mississippi. After retirement, Kurt was rated 90% disabled by the VA and due to the nature of his disabilities, cannot work. He then turned his energy to community service.  After Hurricane Katrina decimated his neighborhood, his family took in 3 other families for up to 6 months and using his pick-up truck, he delivered ice, food and water for those months to residents living in tents or without power.

Our post auxiliary presented him with a monetary award which he turned into more supplies. Kurt served 5 years as president of the Gautier High School Booster Club and 2 years as the single point of contact for parents and students having a grievance against the school. He was named GHS parent of the year and is currently Vice President of the GHS Quarterback Club and a member of the Gautier American Legion. He is also Commander of the 3 County Eastern Mississippi Gulf Coast Disabled American Veterans.

Kurt has been married to his wife Cathy for 22 years. They have 2 sons; Craig, a former GHS football captain now working toward a degree as a doctor of radiology and Keith, starting center on the GHS football team.

Thank you Kurt for your 21 years of Navy service and your full time dedication to community service and veterans affairs.

      GO NAVY!