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First Name
Wesley
Middle Name
D.
Last Name
Schierman
Birthdate
Hometown
St. John, Washington
Rank
Major
Service Branch
Air Force
Date Captured
Date Repatriated
Pre Capture Image
PreCapture Description
Wes Schierman enlisted in the Washington Air National Guard on February 2, 1953, and entered the Aviation Cadet Program on October 26, 1954. Schierman was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force and earned his pilot wings on February 23, 1956, followed by Fighter Gunnery Training in the T-33 and F-86. In June 1956, Wes went into reserve status with the Washington ANG, where he served as an interceptor pilot flying F-94A & B Starfire and F-89D & J Scorpion aircraft. He also flew the T-33 as an instructor pilot before returning to active duty with the Air Force in September 1962. Schierman served with the 481st Tactical Fighter Squadron at Cannon AFB, New Mexico, flying the F-100 Super Sabre, and then flying the F-105 Thunderchief with the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Kadena AB, Okinawa. In early 1965, Captain Schierman participated in escort and strike missions in Laos and North Vietnam. He was forced to eject over North Vietnam on August 28, 1965, and was taken as a Prisoner of War.
Post Release Image
Post Release Description
He was released during Operation Homecoming on February 12, 1973. Schierman went back into the Washington ANG in August 1973, and he retired in September 1974. Major Schierman is a command pilot with over 3,000 flying hours in Air Force fighter and trainer aircraft, and he accumulated over 15,600 flying hours as a civilian commercial airline pilot with Northwest Airlines. Wes Schierman died on January 4, 2014, and was buried at the Endicott Cemetery in Endicott, Washington.
Honors, Citations, and Commendations
- Silver Star (3)
- Legion of Merit
- Bronze Star (3)
- Prisoner of War Medal
Passed away before release
Post Release