LOUIS B. SCHMELTZER, LCDR, USN
Louis Schmeltzer '45
Lucky Bag
From the 1945 Lucky Bag:
Louis Bourke Schmeltzer
Washington, D.C.
"Bromo," hailing from a long line of shipbuilders and ailing from a lack of linguistic ability, came to us from Washington, D. C. "Bromo" had a certain knack of getting other people out of trouble and himself into trouble. A snake of no mean ability, Lou also had other interests foremost among which was track. While at the Academy he spent more time trying to "beat the system" than getting stripes; but in the Fleet it will be a different story because we know he has what it takes to make an excellent officer and still remain "one of the boys."
Battalion Track 4; Varsity Track 3, 1; Newman Club 4, 3, 1; Reception Committee 4, 3, 1; Boat Club 4, 3, 1.
The Class of 1945 was graduated in June 1944 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Louis Bourke Schmeltzer
Washington, D.C.
"Bromo," hailing from a long line of shipbuilders and ailing from a lack of linguistic ability, came to us from Washington, D. C. "Bromo" had a certain knack of getting other people out of trouble and himself into trouble. A snake of no mean ability, Lou also had other interests foremost among which was track. While at the Academy he spent more time trying to "beat the system" than getting stripes; but in the Fleet it will be a different story because we know he has what it takes to make an excellent officer and still remain "one of the boys."
Battalion Track 4; Varsity Track 3, 1; Newman Club 4, 3, 1; Reception Committee 4, 3, 1; Boat Club 4, 3, 1.
The Class of 1945 was graduated in June 1944 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Loss
From the September-October 1960 issue of Shipmate:
BROMO was killed on 19 July in a helicopter crash near Hunter Air Force Base, Ga. The crash occurred after an engine fire developed in the helicopter he was piloting from Mayport, Fla. to Quonset Point, R. I., where his squadron was based. Bromo was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on 25 July. …Flowers were sent in the name of the class and the entire class extends deepest sympathy to Betty and shares with her a loss in Bromo's death.
He was a member of Anti-Submarine Helicopter Squadron 11; the two other men aboard the helicopter were also killed.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Louis graduated from Franklin Grammar School in 1936 and Alice Deal Junior High School in 1937. In April 1938, Louis received a Life Award from the Boy Scouts.
He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1939. Born in Pennsylvania. Known as Lou. Stage Crew, ’37-’39, German Club, ’38-’39; Glee Club ’37-’39; Trafficlub, ’38-’39; Camera Club, ’38-39; Cheer Leader, ’37-’39; Cadets, ’37-’39. In 1939, he was a lance-corporal in Company “B” and was on the advertising staff of The Beacon newspaper. Famous for: Being a spirited cheer leader, avid camera fan, and ambitious scholar.
He spent a year at the American University and attended Columbian Preparatory School. He was nominated to the Naval Academy by Senator James J. Davis.
Father was John E. Schmeltzer, died 1943. In 1930 he was a marine engineer for the Marion (Ohio) Steam Shovel Company. In 1940 he was the assistant director of the Maritime Commission in D.C. This ship is named for him. Louis' mother was Anne, his brother was John; his wife was Elizabeth. His father at age 17 in 1900 was a machinist apprentice, and his grandfather Louis was a machinist in Chester, PA. Perhaps, this is the 'long line of shipbuilders' mentioned in the Lucky Bag.
As a LCDR, he wrote the housing guide for the Naval Postgraduate School in May 1959.
Louis is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His wife, Elizabeth, died in 2014 and is also buried there. He was additionally survived by their children, Louis Jr. (14), Margaret (12), Nancy (8), and Jane (5); a brother, two aunts, and three nephews.
Photographs
From his high school yearbook
From his high school yearbook
Related Articles
Theodore Graver '58 was also lost in this crash.
Eugene Spangler '45, George Webster '45, and Benton Decker, Jr. '45 were also in 3rd Company.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
