Lt. Col. Herbert Henry Schaaf

Lt. Col. Herbert Henry Schaaf, USAF Ret., age 88, died March 16, 2008, at the Trident Medical Center in Charleston, S.C. He was the son of the late Michael Schaaf and Margaret Marie Krutzenberg. He graduated from Barberton High School in 1938 and attended Akron University and Case School of Applied Science. He entered Army Air Corps Cadet Training in February 1943 and received his wings and commissioned a second lieutenant in November 1943.
Lt. Col. Schaaf completed specialized twin engine training and was assigned to Laredo AAF and Harlingen AAF as a tow target and gunnery plane pilot. He completed B-17 combat crew training at Rattlesnake AAF Pyote, Texas, assigned to the 8th A, 384th Bomb GRP. (H) 546th Squadron at Grafton Underwood, England. He crash-landed on his ninth mission in enemy-held territory, evading the enemy for several days, and returned to the 384th. He completed 29 combat missions over Europe, eight in group and squadron lead. He was awarded the distinguished Flying Cross, six Air Medals, two Purple Hearts and other Campaign Ribbons and Citations.
After being released from active duty, he graduated from Spartan School of Aeronautics. he spent eight years as a corporate pilot, agricultural pilot and manager of a large ranch and farm in Kansas.
Lt. Col. Schaaf initiated and managed the first Army instrument flight training school for Spartan School of Aeronautics at Ft. Sill, Okla. He spent five years as a test pilot on Army aircraft for Page Aircraft at Ft. Sill, Okla. He spent seven years as an Air Force Reserves technician as wing maintenance officer for the 445th Military Airlift Wing on C-124 Globemaster Cargo Aircraft. Designated Aircraft Commander, Test Pilot Status. He was awarded Air Force Command Pilot Wings and an Air Force Commendation Medal. he also served with the Federal Aviation Administration for 12 years in Georgia and The Pacific Asia Region as aviation inspector and accident prevention specialist for both fixed wing and helicopters. He was a lifetime member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society, The 8th Air Force Heritage Museum, The Reserve Officers Association and the Military Officers Association. He also had membership in the Quiet Birdmen Association, Silver Wing, Scottish Rite, Ogeechee F & AM Lodge, Georgia Southern Boosters and Alumni Association and Snooky's 1030 Coffee Club.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 29 years, Ms. Patricia P. Darley Schaaf.
Surviving are his daughter, Bonnie Lee, and son-in-law, Tommy Hix of Lawton, Okla.; daughter, Susan Lee, and son-in-law, Thomas Antwine, of Pemlico, S.C.; son, Mike, and daughter-in-law, Donna Schaaf of Marietta, Ga.; his half brother, Walter, and wife, Delores Mott of Barberton, Ohio. Also surviving is stepson, Ray, and wife, Lisa Darley of Savannah; seven grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and four step great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Friday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home.
The memorial service will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home with the Rev. John Pate officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will be in the Eastside Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers will be Micheal Schaaf, Chance Darley, Tom Antwine, Tommy Hix, Charles Millican and Snooky's 1030 Coffee Club members and Quiet Birdmen.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the 8th Air Force Heritage Museum, P.O. Box 1992, Savannah, Ga. 31402; and Georgia Southern Boosters, P.O. Box 8115, Statesboro, Ga. 30460.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home of Statesboro is in charge of arrangements.

Statesboro Herald, March 21, 2008
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