Richard Jackson Sherman

Richard Jackson Sherman, 89, formerly of High St, died October 5, 2013 at the Academy Manor Nursing Home, in Andover, MA. Born in Plymouth on December 14, 1923, he was the son of Leon Ervin and Myra E. (James) Sherman. Richard grew up in Plymouth and graduated from Plymouth High School, class of 1941. Dick was always interested in airplanes. He was six years old when he built his first model airplane and in his mid-teens when he learned how to fly at the Plymouth Airport. He received his pilot's license at the age of sixteen. On September 14, 1942, Dick and his father went to Boston and enlisted in the US Navy. Dick enlisted in the Aviation Cadet School and received his basic training at Chapel Hill NC., followed a three month course at the Navy Pre-Flight School at the University of North Carolina. After training in at the Naval Reserve Aviation Base in Bunker Hill, Peru, IN, He became a qualified Navy Pilot. He trained in Scout Bombers out of Pensacola, Miami and Daytona airfields and was awarded his Gold Wings as a commissioned 2nd Lieutenant and transferred from the Navy to the Marines. Dick was sent to El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, in California as part of the Marine Aircraft Group 2 of the First Marine Air Wing. After several years of flying combat missions in the South Pacific, He returned to Cherry Hill, NC, and was separated as a 1st Lieutenant on January 4, 1946. For his service in World War II, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 6Bronze Stars, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Commendation Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, Asian Pacific Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Victory Medal, and Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 Bronze Star. Dick's total flight time logged was 938.4 hours. Upon his return to Plymouth, Dick opened the Riverside Airport, in Ashland, as a flying school and charter flight facility. By the turn of the decade, his airport business has ebbed and Dick was called from inactive duty on March of 1951 as a Captain reporting to Squantum, MA. Dick was predeceased by his wife Ruth Elizabeth (Trull) Sherman in June of 2011. Dick is survived by his sons, Richard W. Sherman of Andover, MA, Roger L. Sherman of Tewksbury, MA and two grandchildren. A calling hour will be held in the Mayhew Funeral Home, 12 Langdon St. Plymouth, on Thursday, Oct. 10th, from 12pm to 1pm. A Graveside service will follow in the Riverside Cemetery, Plymouth, at 1:30pm. The Rev. Edward J. Charest will officiate.

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Richard Jackson Sherman

December 14, 1923 - October 5, 2013