James L. Timmerman
Era: Vietnam
Military Branch: Air Force
Status: Featured Story
James L. Timmerman served in the Vietnam War and during the Cold War. He commanded missions in support of the Iran hostage crisis. He was also Chair for the Major Plans Department for NATO Exercises and War Plans.
Mr. Timmerman joined the U.S. Air Force on July 31, 1969. He was trained at Mather Air Force Base, California, where he attended bombing-navigation-radar school. He was assigned to 2BMW, a combat crew at Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1971.
In 1971, Mr. Timmerman was deployed to Vietnam, where he served for two years. He flew 138 combat missions from U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield, Thailand, and from Guam.
He returned to the United States and was assigned to K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Marquette, Michigan. While there, he earned his master’s degree.
Mr. Timmerman was deployed to Guam, where he commanded missions in support of the Iranian hostage crisis. He commanded several missions in support of the Korean ceasefire from his assignment at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
He served in 379BW at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Oscoda, Michigan, where he was Chair for the Major Plans Department for NATO Exercises and War Plans.
Mr. Timmerman retired on July 31, 1989.
His rank was major.
Mr. Timmerman was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, seven Air Medals, and several combat medals.
Mr. Timmerman was born in 1947, the son of Leo and Angeline Timmerman. He graduated from high school in 1965 and from college in 1969. He died on September 29, 2012, in Duluth, Minnesota.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form; veteran’s account (below)
“Commissioned in 1969 through University of Wisconsin, Superior, ROTC. Attended B-52 nav-bomb school in California. Assigned to combat crew at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, in 1971. Deployed to Vietnam in 1971 and flew 138 combat missions from Thailand and Guam through 1973. Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, seven Air Medals, and numerous other combat medals. Transferred to K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base and earned a masters degree in 1976. Deployed to Guam and commanded missions in support of the Iranian hostage crisis. Assigned to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and commanded many missions in support of the Korean ceasefire. Moved to Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, and was a Major Plans Department Chair for NATO Exercises and War Plans. Retired 1989.”
