LTC John Henry Shimerda, retired, age 87, died Feb. 11, 2023. His funeral service with full military honors is scheduled at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, July 29, at 10:45 a.m., beginning at the Post Chapel.
Early Life and Education: John was born in 1935 near Swanton to Milo "Mike" and Edna (Sinnen) Shimerda. He attended a one-room schoolhouse and later school in Wilber, excelling in academics and sports. John aspired to join the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, which he did in 1954, graduating in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Military Science.
Military career
•Upon graduation from West Point John enlisted in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and trained as a Fixed Wing Aviator.
• He went to Germany (1959-1961) where he served as a Fixed Wing Aviator and Platoon Leader of the 10th Engineering Battalion.
• During his first tour in Vietnam (1963-64) he was an OV-1 Mohawk pilot and Flight Team Leader. When he returned to the United States (Ft. Rucker, Aalbama) he was an OV-1 pilot instructor.
• During his second tour in Vietnam (1967/68) he was a Platoon Leader.
• After Vietnam, he took on various roles in research and development in U.S. military and government agencies, focusing on nuclear safety and EMP protection.
Special contributions: John recognized the vulnerability of the U.S. electric grid and complex communication systems and worked on developing sophisticated EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse) protection programs for the U.S. electric grid. He was also instrumental in "Operation Morning Light," coordinating the U.S. response to the re-entry of the malfunctioning Soviet satellite COSMOS 954, successfully recovering radioactive materials and safeguarding the environment.
Nuclear safety leadership: From 1970 to 1973, John served at the U.S. Army Nuclear Agency, initially as a Project Officer and later as Chief of the NWE Division. He supervised the development of comprehensive criteria for personnel and equipment protection against nuclear threats. He then worked at the Defense Nuclear Agency, Washington, D.C., from 1973 to 1976, as Chief of the Division responsible for assessing nuclear vulnerabilities. From 1976 to 1980 John was Assistant Branch Chief at the U.S. Department of Energy.
Medals and awards: John earned numerous medals and awards during his 22+ years of military service, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal (27 Oak Leaf Clusters), Navy Unit Commendation, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross W/Palm (Unit Citation), Vietnam Campaign Medal W/60 Device, Army Aviator Badge, and Parachute Badge.
Post-military life: After retiring from the Army in 1980, John and his wife, Lt. Col. Joan Shimerda, engaged in various adventures, including dairy farming, cruising on their boat "Water Nymph," and traveling. John was also a team leader for Southeastern Guide Dogs for 15 years, raising 17 puppies.
Later years: In 2013, John and Joan moved from their Nokomis, Florida, home to Sun City Center, Florida. Joan passed away in 2015, and John later met Debra Elliott Vance, whom he married in 2019. John continued to enjoy an active life until his passing.
Survivors: John is survived by his wife, Debra Vance Shimerda, and his sister, Lois Shimerda Rood.
Funeral service: A Catholic funeral mass and Full Military Honors Procession will be held at Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel at Arlington on July 29. John will be laid to rest next to his first wife, Joan.
For online condolences, visit the obituaries at suncitycenterfuneralhome.com
