Remembering Col. Warder L. Shires
On Saturday, March 6, 2021, CAP lost one of its own. Col. Warder L. Shires, born on March 23, 1932 in Red Oak, Iowa was a man who spent a bulk of his life not only serving his country, but volunteering to make a difference in the lives of others through many organizations. He utilized the Civil Air Patrol to do this all while mentoring the many cadets within the organization, by which he would become the Wing Commander for the state of Nebraska.
Col. Shires had an illustrious career. He attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where took part in the ROTC program available and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1954. He would later return to gain his Masters of Science in Education. As an Air Force officer, he had the pleasure of flying a variety of aircraft. He flew the T-6, TB-25, T-28, T-33, T-29, T39, B-47, C-46, C-47, C-54, C-119, C-123, F-80, EC-135C, and the KC-135.
EDUCATION:
Jan 1954 Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
May 1977 Masters of Science in Education, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
The Air Medal (Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster) Vietnam, 1971
The Distinguished Flying Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster) Vietnam 1971
The Air Force Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) Offutt AFB, Nebraska 1975
The Civil Air Patrol Meritorious Service Award, Feb 1998
The City of Lincoln Meritorious Service Citation, Apr 2000
Awarded Professor Emeritus, University of Nebraska, Apr 2000
The Civil Air Patrol Gill Robb Wilson Award, Mar 2000
The Civil Air Patrol Distinguished Service Award, Feb 2005
The Nebraska National Guard Homeland Defense Service Ribbon, March 2005
EFFECTIVE PROMOTION DATES:
| US Navy Reserve | December 1 1950 – January 31, 1952 |
| Second Lieutenant | January 30, 1954 |
| First Lieutenant | September 29, 1955 |
| Captain | January 1, 1960 |
| Major | March 29, 1968 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | January 15, 1996 |
| Colonel | January 30, 2004 |