More detail on this person: ohn George Schommer, age 89, passed away on May 3, 2018, at home in Palmer, Alaska, with family at his bedside. John was born on Feb. 22, 1929, to John J. Schommer and Margaret L. Schommer in Colby, Wis. John joined the Navy right out of high school and was stationed in the South Pacific. He later joined the Army as an airborne ranger and became a helicopter and fixed wing pilot. John's career in the military also included a tour of duty in Korea, receiving the Air Medal, and two tours in Vietnam where he received the Bronze Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1965, John transferred to Alaska, where he later retired from the U.S. Army in 1969 with 23 years of military service. John continued his aviation career in the private sector flying charter service. He then began a civilian career with the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards Division and, later, the Department of Interior Office of Aircraft Services, where he retired as Regional Director with more than 39 years of combined military/civilian service in 1989. John lived a quiet life in Palmer since 2007, where he enjoyed playing golf, supporting various veterans' organizations and traveling on occasion. John enjoyed family time with his much-loved wife, Ruth, of 39 years; son, John "Jack" Schommer and wife Nancy; daughter, Jeanne Story and husband Mark; grandchildren, Jill, Chrissie, Todd and Kayla; and great-grandchildren, Annie, Gage, Sadie, Maddox and Weslyn. What a good man John was ... What a legacy he leaves ... How deeply he will be missed. At John's request, no services will be held. Published by Anchorage Daily News on May 8, 2018.
This information was last updated 02/21/2022
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
Copyright © 1998 - 2025 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association