Shewmaker, John William (P2, C4, L11)

Captain John William Shewmaker of Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky, was a pilot with the 165th Fighter Squadron for several years and served in Korea with the 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron he was killed while flying an escort mission over North Korea on a bombing raid on 23 October 1951. He was classified missing in action until the end of 1953 when his status was changed to died while missing remains not recovered. The Kentucky Air National Guard base was named Shewmaker Air National Guard Base in his honor on 17 February 1959 with a public ceremony on 11 June 1960. The name was ordered changed in 1976 with the new designation of Standiford Field (ANG).

Mercer Flier Missing
On Mission Over Korea

The Advocate-Messenger Danville, Kentucky 9 Nov 1951, Fri Page 1

Lieut. John William Shewmaker, son of Calvin Shewmaker of Harrodsburg, is missing in action in Korea, according to information received by the officer's wife from the Department of Defense at Washing, D. C.

A letter received by Mrs. Shewmaker, the former Miss Patricia Grady of Salvisa, stated that her husband was escorting bomber planes on a mission on Oct. 23, over Korea, when his plane caught fire.

The plane was last seen falling in flames and disappeared before any of the crew members were seen to bail out she was told.

 

Missing Mercer Flyer
Promoted to Captain

The Advocate-Messenger Danville, Kentucky 27 Jul 1952, Sun · Page 6

John Shewmaker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clavin Shewmaker of Harrodsburg, who has been missing in action in Korea since Oct. 23, 1951, has been promoted to the rank of captain in the U. S. Air Force, according to information received by his wife, Mrs. Patricia Grady Shewmaker, also of Harrodsburg, from the Department of Defense, Washington, D.C.

Captain Shewmaker has been missing since his plane crashed in combat over Korea nine months ago.

He and Mrs. Shewmaker have a daughter, Judith, 11 months old.

 

Two Kentuckians
Are Presumed Dead
In Korea Action

The Paducah Sun Paducah, Kentucky 6 Jan 1954, Wed Page 2

WASHINGTON, Jan 6 (AP) - The Air Force today released the names of 256 officers and enlisted men whom it now is listing as "missing and presumed dead" in Korean action. They formerly were listed as missing in action.

The list includes these Kentuckians:

1st Lt. Lawrence B. Kelly, husband of Mrs. Peggy F. Kelly, Louisville.

Capt. John W. Shewmaker, husband of Mrs. Patricia G. Shewmaker, Georgetown.