Commander Schmidt began active duty as an enlisted man and member of the Commissioning Crew aboard the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard built USS Burrfish (SS-312). He made five WWII war patrols aboard the USS Haddo (SS-255). After WWI he served aboard a captured WWII German U-Boat, U-2513(SS), USS Medregal (SS-480), and the USS Cochino (SS-345).

Later as a Warrant Officer, he returned to PNS to serve as a Ship Superintendent. During this tour, he received his Commission as a Lieutenant and advanced to Senior Ship Superintendent during the construction of the Polaris submarine, USS John Adams (SSBN 620). He was the Shipyard Duty Officer on 10 April 1963 during the USS Thresher disaster.

He was associated with the Regulus Program, the predecessor to the Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Program, including a tour of duty in the Special Projects Office (SPO) in Washington, DC.

In additional to earning his Submarine Dolphins and a Submarine Combat pin containing five WWII war patrol combat stars, Commander Schmidt received the following awards during his 30 year Naval career:

Meritorious Service Commendation Medal as a Weapons Officer
Naval Letter of Commendation
Four Star Good Conduct Medal
Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal
National Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal

After his retirement, his contributions continued:
State Commander, Maine and New Hampshire Submarine Veterans of WWII
State Commander for the Squalus Memorial Chapter of the Submarine Veterans of WWII
Member, Board of Directors for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Historical Foundation
Volunteer Tour Guide, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Historical Museum
Life Member, Thresher Base USSVI
Member, Holland Club USSVI
Life Member, Portsmouth Lodge of Elks, Chapter 97
Member, American Legion
Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars