National Officers

William J. “Doc” Schmitz was elected National Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. on July 24, 2019, at the 120th VFW National Convention in Orlando, Fla.

Doc served in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1970. He served in Vietnam as a corpsman attached to United States Marine Corps infantry and artillery. In recognition of his service, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Hal J. Roesch II was elected Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. on July 24, 2019, at the 120th VFW National Convention in Orlando, Fla.

Hal served in the United States Air Force from 1982 to 2002. He is a veteran of Operations Desert Shield/Storm and Southern Watch, and the recipient of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with three campaign stars, the Humanitarian Service Medal (for Hurricane Hugo relief in South Carolina), and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.

Matthew M. “Fritz” Mihelcic was elected Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. on July 24, 2019, at the 120th VFW National Convention in Orlando, Fla.

Fritz served in the United States Air Force Air National Guard from 1989 to 1999 with the 131st Tactical Fighter Wing. Activated for federal service, he served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm from 1990 to 1991 as a security policeman. In recognition of his service, he received the Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V (Valor) Device, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two devices, and the Kuwait Liberation Medals from both Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Additionally, he received numerous state and federal awards and decorations.