Major General William R. Schmidt was a United States Army

United States Army

The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...

 officer.

Division Commander of the 76th Infantry Division of the United States Army starting December 1942.

Graduated from United States Military Academy

United States Military Academy

The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...

 1913

Entered World War I as a 1st Lieutenant and was promoted to Major.

He taught military science and tactics at the University of Illinois and Ohio Northern University

Ohio Northern University

Ohio Northern University is a private, United Methodist Church-affiliated university located in the United States in Ada, Ohio, founded by Henry Solomon Lehr in 1871. ONU is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. ONU is a sister...

.

He served on the faculty of United States Military Academy

United States Military Academy

The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...

.

In August 1945 he assumed command of the 3rd Infantry Division (United States), as a part of the occupational forces in Germany.