Dietrich Schmieman

Dietrich lived a life that was all too short, but he lived life to the fullest every day.  People who were fortunate to know Dietrich were inspired by him to overcome difficult obstacles, to become better people, and, like him, to enjoy life fully.  His positive influence on these people will continue.

Dietrich excelled academically and participated in the Running Start Program, simultaneously earning a high school diploma from Hanford High School and an Associate of Arts degree from Columbia Basin College.  He could have done anything at that point in his life.  He chose military service.  He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 2010.

Dietrich’s first assignment as a Marine was to Third Recon on Okinawa, Japan.  He completed training in military parachuting and diving.  In January 2014 he was promoted to Sergeant and selected for Marine Corps Special Operations School, including training in Arabic language. 

Sergeant Schmieman was a member of 2D Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Special Operations Team 8232.  He served as the Team’s Communications Marine and Joint Terminal Attack Controller.  With the team, he executed more than 60 military freefall jumps.

Much has been written about the close bonds formed by the brotherhood of warriors, especially among our nation’s elite special forces.  As much as Dietrich felt close bonds with his MARSOC Team, his bonds to his childhood friends in Richland were just as close.

Dietrich’s closest friends in Richland included Chris Lynch, Michael Carasino, Colby Abbot, Jeremy Jones, Nathan Jonas, Russell Brouillard, Jake Mulkey, Ayrald Hubert and Wandrille Hubert.  They are a very diverse group, but Dietrich treated each equally.  They skied, hiked, camped, played, laughed, and cried together. Their friendship began in grade school at Christ the King and continues to today. 

Although some of his close friends moved to other locations for higher education or employment, they continued to communicate with each other often.  They gathered and celebrated together every time Dietrich was home.  Reunions usually included skiing, camping, and croquet matches.

The love of Dietrich’s life was Morgan Zoufal of Atlanta Georgia.  Through their commuter romance between Atlanta and Camp Lejeune, they shared love, affection, laughter, travel, smiles, and each other.

Dietrich’s attitudes that made him loved by so many −­ doing the right thing with joy; treating all people fairly, with love, kindness, and a smile; helping and encouraging others; and giving his best at everything he tried – these attitudes were developed at an early age by a Christian education at Christ the King elementary school and by the Children’s Ministry at Richland Lutheran Church.

Dietrich was preceded in death almost exactly two years by his good friend Jake Mulkey.

Dietrich is survived by his Mother, Susan, Father, Eric, and brothers Aaron and Hans (Becca) Schmieman; by his Aunts/Uncles Scott Aho, Sherrie Aho, Shawn (Dana) Austin, and Anita (Robert) Hawkins; and by cousins Ivy (Ben) Aho, Andy (Jaci) Gruhn, and Tiffany (Martin) Hernandez.

A Celebration of Life and Military Honors will be held for Dietrich at Central Church in Richland at 10:00AM on August 12^th.  It was Dietrich’s wish to have his ashes spread on Mount Rainier.  Additional information about services will be released by Einan’s as it becomes available.  https://www.sunsetgardenstricities.com/obituaries/2017/july/sergeant-dietrich-schmieman/

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dietrich’s honor to Richland Lutheran Church’s Youth Ministry.

In lieu of all else, consider living life fully, every day!

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Dietrich Schmieman was among the 15 Marines and a Navy Sailor who died Monday, July 10, 2017, in the crash of a military transport plane in the Mississippi Delta.

As the family finalizes the obituary, please read below to learn more about Dietrich's accomplishments with the U.S. Marines.

Sgt Schmieman served as an Element Member with Marine Special Operations Team 8232, Marine Special Operations Company Hotel, 2D Marine Raider Battalion, Camp Lejeune, NC.

Sgt Schmieman was born on 9 January 1991. In September of 2010 he attended Basic Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and was promoted to Private First Class. Upon completion of Basic Training he attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, CA. He then attended the Enlisted Basic Supply Course at Camp Johnson, NC from February until April 2011. He reported to 3D Reconnaissance Battalion in April of 2011 and in October of 2011 he was promoted to Lance Corporal.

In April of 2012 Sgt Schmieman participated in pre-deployment training in Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji and was promoted to Corporal. In September of 2012, Sgt Schmieman attended the Enlisted Supply Intermediate Course and completed the course as the honor graduate. He then supported Alpha Company, 3D Reconnaissance Battalion in Exercise Sandfisher while conducting cross-training with the Singh Naval Dive Unit.

In January of 2013, Sgt Schmieman attended the Basic Airborne Course at Ft. Benning, GA.

In January of 2014, Sgt Schmieman was promoted to Sergeant and reported to Marine Special Operations Command in Stone Bay, NC for Assessment & Selection. After being selected, he returned to 3D Reconnaissance Battalion to continue to work as the Supply Admin Chief while awaiting to attend Marine Special Operations School.

In August of 2014, Sgt Schmieman reported to the Marine Special Operations School for the Individual Training Course (ITC) 14-2. After completing ITC in May of 2015, Sgt Schmieman was assigned to Basic Language Course where he completed the Modern Standard Arabic class with a score of 1+/1+.

In October of 2015, Sgt Schmieman reported to 2D Marine Raider Battalion. In July 2016, He was assigned to Marine Special Operations Team 8232 where he served as the Communications Marine and the team’s Joint Terminal Attack Controller. During his time with the team he executed over 60 Military Freefall jumps, trained alongside the Department of State’s Mobile Security Deployments Office and executed Joint Exercise HAVEACE in Hurlburt, Fl. Sgt Schmieman attended the MARSOF Technical Surveillance Course, the Multi-Mission Parachute Course, Sergeant’s Course, MARSOC Network Operators Course and the Special Operations Terminal Attack Controllers Course.

Sgt Schmieman’s personal decorations include Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2d award), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3d award)