At 17 years old, Wes joined the Washington Air National Guard and served as an Armorer before he earned his pilot wings in 1956. The only thing that rivaled his love for flying, was his love for Faye Rigsby, whom he met while attending Washington State University (ATO Fraternity). Wes and Faye married in 1958, and the couple recently celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary.
During their marriage, Wes had a long and successful aviation career flying for the WA Air National Guard, the U.S. Air Force, and as a commercial pilot for Northwest Airlines. Wes was a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 28, 1965 to February 12, 1973.
In 1974, after his incredibly distinguished military career, Wes retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Major and returned to flying for Northwest Airlines, which he retired from in 1995 as a Boeing 747 Captain with over 15,000 flight hours. In his “free time” Wes became a founding member of the Blackjack Squadron, a group developing a structured training program in formation flying.
Wesley D. Schierman, Maj USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on January 4, 2014.
SCHIERMAN, Wesley Duane (Age 78) Passed away on January 4, 2014, at his home in Everett after a short battle with cancer. Wes was born in St. John, WA on July 21, 1935.
At 17 years old, Wes joined the Washington Air National Guard and served as an Armorer before he earned his pilot wings in 1956. The only thing that rivaled his love for flying, was his love for Faye Rigsby, whom he met while attending Washington State University (ATO Fraternity). Wes and Faye married in 1958, and the couple recently celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary.
During their marriage, Wes had a long and successful aviation career flying for the WA Air National Guard, the U.S. Air Force, and as a commercial pilot for Northwest Airlines. Wes was a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 28, 1965 to February 12, 1973.
In 1974, after his incredibly distinguished military career, Wes retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Major and returned to flying for Northwest Airlines, which he retired from in 1995 as a Boeing 747 Captain with over 15,000 flight hours.
In his “free time” Wes became a founding member of the Blackjack Squadron, a group developing a structured training program in formation flying that continues today. He also enjoyed spending his time with his family and friends, traveling, attending reunions, building and flying airplanes at Arlington, and going to many movies with his wife.
He was a true hero, gentleman, loving husband, father, and friend. Many loved Wes and all will miss his resilient spirit, positive attitu de, and sense of humor. Predeceased by his parents, Waldo and Nora Schierman,
Wes is survived by his loving wife Faye; his children Sandra Schierman, Steven Schierman (Wendy), and Stacy Schierman; his grandchildren Cassandra Settle, Steven Schierman, and Alexa Schierman; and his sister Sheila Lester. All are welcome to come celebrate Wes’ remarkable life.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2014, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 219 4th St. in Endicott, WA 99125, followed by a graveside service, and reception. A second memorial service for Wes will be held at The Museum of Flight – Boeing Field, 9404 East Marginal Way S. Seattle, WA 98108 at 12:00 p.m. on January 26, 2014.
Published in Spokesman-Review on Jan. 12, 2014
WES SCHIERMAN
From Joe Crecca
Wes Schierman – Final Resting Place
On a bitterly cold day on the 21st of January, 2014 Wesley Duane Schierman was laid to rest at the Mountain View Cemetery in Endicott, Washington very close to where Wes was born in St. John, Washington back on July 21, 1935. The Air Force Honor Guard from Fairchild AFB solemnly performed the American Flag folding and presentation to Faye Schierman. Earlier, services were performed at the Trinity Lutheran Church by Pastor Phil Misner.
Endicott is a very small town in eastern Washington south of Spokane and northwest of Pullman with a population of only about 300 people. It was, therefore, emotionally uplifting to see so many attend the services and burial.
Family members in attendance were Wes’s wife of 55 years, Faye; their daughters Sandra and Stacy; their son Steven and his wife Wendy; Wes’s sister Sheila Lester; and three grandchildren.
NAMPOWs in attendance were Jim Ray, Gary & Jean Thornton, Bill & Bonnie Metzger and Joe & Joan Crecca. In addition, River Rat Dave Brunstetter, LBII B-52 EWO drove in.
Attendees of particular note were the Schuster brothers; Bob, Ted & Eric who related stories about the very young Wes Schierman flying an F-86 Saber over their farm, sometimes shiny side up, in the late 1950s.
All told there were at least 120 attending in honor, remembrance and celebration of the life of a man whose accomplishments as an aviator, courage as a Prisoner-of-War in North Vietnam, loyalty to his comrades-in arms and devotion to his wife Faye and family were second to none.
Following the reception Joe & Joan Crecca returned to Wes’s grave site and tossed two nickels on the grass; one for Joe and one for Jim Ray.
Wes Schierman set an example that very few can ever equal and virtually none will ever exceed.
Rest In Peace to the dearest of friends and deeply felt condolences to Faye Schierman and the entire family from all NAMPOWs, River Rats and Wes’s fellow aviators.
Joe Crecca
Retired Maj. Wesley Schierman fi nally landed his last sortie with the 67th FighterSquadron here Sept. 19 after a 40-year detour.
Originally, he began his fl ight as a captain with the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron during the Vietnam War fl ying an F-105Thunderchief out of Korat Air Base, Thailand.
But while leading a formation of four aircraft Aug. 25, 1965, on a mission to attack a military barracks near Hanoi, somethinghappened.
SCHIERMAN, WESLEY DUANE
RIP Jan 4, 2014
Name: Wesley Duane Schierman
Rank/Branch: United States Air Force/O3
Unit: 67 TFS – Korat AB Thailand
Date of Birth: 21 July 1935 St John WA
Home City of Record: Lancaster WA
Date of Loss: 28 June 1965
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 211800 North 1035800 East (Son La)
Status (in 1973): Returnee
Category:
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F105D (Schierman states F105F not D)
Missions:
Other Personnel in Incident: Robinson Risner, returnee
Refno: 0130
