Wesley Schierman was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on August 28, 1965, and was held until his release on February 12, 1973. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force he accumulated over 15,600 flying hours as a civilian commercial airline pilot with Northwest Airlines.
Sponsored by:
Wesley
Duane
Schierman
POW (RVN)
July 21, 1935
–
January 4, 2014
Born:
St. John
,
Washington
Home:
Lancaster
,
Washington
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
67th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
August 28, 1965
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Wesley Duane Schierman (AFSN: FV-3058242), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force over North Vietnam on 28 August 1965, as Pilot of an F-105 aircraft of the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron. On that date, Captain Schierman led his flight of F-105 aircraft in the employment of a new weapon against the Ban Luc barracks troop and supply area. He displayed outstanding air discipline and devotion to duty as he guided each flight member in turn on their run to the target and then rolled in himself to attack flak positions which were menacing his wingman. As he passed over the target, his aircraft received a disabling hit forcing him to eject. Once on the ground, he made his way to a hill and heroically continued to call out hostile gun positions and troop concentrations to the attacking aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Schierman has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 28, 1965 – February 12, 1973
Major Wesley Duane Schierman (AFSN: FV-3058242), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 28, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 28, 1965 – February 12, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major Wesley Duane Schierman (AFSN: FV-3058242), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 28, 1965 – February 12, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major Wesley Duane Schierman (AFSN: FV-3058242), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. The North Vietnamese and interrogators and guards kept constant pressure on this officer through harassment, intimidation, and cruelties from which they hoped to gain information and cooperative participation in their propaganda exercises. This individual heroically resisted their treatment in a manner which served as an inspiration to others in the camp and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 28, 1965 – February 12, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major Wesley Duane Schierman (AFSN: FV-3058242), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 28 August 1965 to 12 February 1973. His ceaseless efforts to conduct himself strictly in accord with the Code of Conduct and policies of the prisoner organization in the difficult conditions of a communist prison clearly demonstrated his loyalty, love of country, and professionalism. By his unselfish dedication to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 28, 1965 – February 12, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Major Wesley Duane Schierman (AFSN: FV-3058242), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period from 28 August 1965 to 12 February 1973, while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from. Under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. Despite the adversities of confinement, he performed such duties and responsibilities as assigned by superiors and required of the Code of Conduct in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and dedication throughout this period of imprisonment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 28, 1965 – February 12, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Wesley Duane Schierman (AFSN: FV-3058242), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period from 28 August 1965 to 12 February 1973, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Captain Abbott resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 28, 1965 – February 12, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Major Wesley Duane Schierman (AFSN: FV-3058242), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period from 28 August 1965 to 12 February 1973, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Captain Abbott resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.