St. Juvin Post honors Korean War veteran

Korean War veteran Heinz Schmalz, St. Juvin Post’s newest member, emigrated to the U.S. in 1952 from Bremen Germany when he was 20 years old. At the time, immigrants were required to have a “sponsor” to ensure they would not be an encumbrance on social services. Schmalz’s sister who lived in Delphi, New York, sponsored him.

After arriving, he took a job as a “sand hog” working in a pressurized environment on the New York Aqueduct system.

In 1953, Local Draft Board 42 inducted him; however, his lack of English language skills prevented his service. In 1954, his command of English had improved and he began his service in the Army.

Because he worked in the construction field, he was assigned to CO D 17th Engineer BN as a bulldozer operator and sent to Korea. His foreign service amounted to one year, four months and two days.

At the time of Schmalz’s service, the U.S. had a policy to fast-track citizenship for foreign nationals who honorably served in the armed forces.

On Oct. 5, 1955, at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Korea, Schmalz took the oath of citizenship.

After separation, Schmalz, using the GI Bill enrolled at Columbia University as a provisional student. He graduated, went into the mortgage banking industry and married his wife, Martha, with whom he raised their children.

He currently serves with the Venice detachment of St. Juvin Post 1336 based at the Floridian Club of Sarasota in Venice, Florida.

Since 2013, more than 500 of the personalized tapestry throws, representing over $25,000 raised through Buddy Poppy events, raffles and donations from generous citizens have been presented to veterans as a symbol of their service to a grateful nation.