John Dewey Sherman

John Dewey Sherman was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 12th, 1924, to Howard and Gladys Sherman. John graduated from Boise High School in 1942. While in high school he was involved with ROTC and the Rifle Team. John attended WSC from 1942-1943. He studied chemistry and had high grades before enlisting in the Air Force. John enlisted in the US Army Air Force and was assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron and the 384th Bomb Group, on June 8, 1944. He trained as a Radio Operator and Gunner and was promoted to Technical Sergeant on July 1, 1944. He served as a radio operator on a b-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed the “Swiss Miss." Due to poor weather conditions while flying over Cambridge, England, the aircraft collided with another plane from the squadron. Out of eighteen crew members on both aircrafts, fourteen, including John, were killed. This incident occurred on July 7, 1944. He was awarded a Purple Heart and an Air Medal for his sacrifice.