Christian F. Schilt
| Christian Frank Schilt | |
|---|---|
General Christian F. Schilt, Medal of Honor recipient
|
|
| Born |
March 19, 1895 Richland County, Illinois |
| Died | January 8, 1987 (aged 91) Norfolk, Virginia |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Marine Corps
|
| Years of service | 1917-1957 |
| Rank |
 General
|
| Commands held |
MCAS Cherry Point 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Aviation |
| Battles/wars |
World War I Occupation of Haiti Occupation of Nicaragua World War II Korean War |
| Awards |
Medal of Honor Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Bronze Star |
Christian Frank Schilt (March 19, 1895 – January 8, 1987) was one of the first Marine Corps aviators and a recipient of the United States highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor. He received the Medal for using his biplane to evacuate wounded Marines under fire in Nicaragua.
In addition to his actions in Nicaragua he saw action in World War I, the Haitian and Nicaraguan campaigns, World War II and the Korean War. He retired after nearly 40 years of active service and was promoted to the rank of four-star general at retirement.
Christian Frank Schilt was born March 19, 1895, in Richland County, Illinois, and after attending Rose Polytechnic Institute in Terre Haute, Indiana, he enlisted in the Marine Corps June 23, 1917.
As an enlisted man he served at Ponta Delgada, in the Azores, with the 1st Marine Aeronautical Company, a seaplane squadron assigned to anti-submarine patrol. This was the first organized American air unit of any service to go overseas during World War I.
Returning to the United States as a corporal, he entered flight training at the Marine Flying Field, Miami, Florida. He was designated an aviator June 5, 1919, and commissioned a second lieutenant five days later. That October, he began his first tour of expeditionary duty as a member of Squadron "D," Marine Air Forces, 2nd Provisional Brigade, in Santo Domingo. He returned to the United States in February 1920, to enter the Marine Officers Training School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
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