Foundation Honors Fallen USAF Lieutenant From Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — Tributes continue to pour in for a 32-year-old Air Force lieutenant who was killed in a routine training mission and whose home town was reported as Temecula.

USAF 1st Lt. David Schmitz was piloting an F-16CM Fighting Falcon on June 30 when he crashed at approximately 11:30 p.m. at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.

A member of the 77th Fighter Squadron "Gamblers," Schmitz was preparing to deploy overseas for combat operations. The aircraft was assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing, according to a USAF announcement.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

A GoFundMe page has been established in Schmitz's honor, and his wife, Valerie, has shared the link on her Facebook page, where she praises her fallen husband whom she married in 2013.

"Anyone who had the honor of getting to know my husband knows how he had a way of making you want to be a better person," she said. "He gave 110% effort in everything he did. He didn’t want to be just good enough. He had to be the best and so he always strived for that. He inspired me and will continue to inspire me to live with that same mentality.

"I am so incredibly lucky that you chose me to love and spend the rest of your life with," she continued. "I will cherish you for the rest of my life."

The GoFundMe page announces the formation of the Lt. David Schmitz Scholarship Foundation.

"The purpose of this foundation is to support young men and women who want to pursue a career in aviation but have encountered obstacles similar to ones Lt. Schmitz experienced on his journey to becoming a fighter pilot," the page reads.

Schmitz's interest in flying began as a youngster, but it was unexpected challenges during his high school years that lead him to realizing his dream.

"At 16, Dave’s parents gifted him flight lessons and flying quickly became a healthy escape from the challenges that he was experiencing," the GoFundMe page reads.

Schmitz earned his private pilot's license at age 17, attended Mesa College after high school graduation, went on to San Diego State University and enrolled in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at the campus.

Prior to completing his SDSU degree, he decided to enlist in the U.S.A.F., where he became a loadmaster on the C-17, according to the GoFundMe page. Schmitz worked hard, got married, became a member of the 4th Airlift Squadron at McChord AFB in Washington, finished his undergraduate degree, and — after some hurdles — successfully applied to Officer Training School.

He and Valerie moved to Laughlin AFB in Texas, where he attended pilot training. He graduated first in his class and was selected to fly the F-16, according to the page. Schmitz's training continued, and he was eventually picked to fly as a Wild Weasel in the 77th Fighter Squadron at Shaw AFB.

"Dave's story has inspired so many," the page continued. "He inspired people to be the best of themselves, to be a better friend, better spouses, a better Airman, and his legacy must live on and be honored."

The Lt. David Schmitz Scholarship Foundation will host an annual run, at bases around the country, to raise money so that it may have a lasting impact on those who want to pursue their education and become a pilot, according to the page.

On Friday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered flags statewide to be flown at half-staff in memory of the aviator.

Schmitz is survived by his wife, Valerie; their dog, Toby; his parents, Brian and Sherrie Schmitz; and his sister, Laura Schmitz.