CDR Adolf Carl Schirmer was born in 1919 and grew up on his family's farm in Egg Harbor, New Jersey. Showing an early interest in aviation, he earned his private pilot's license in 1937, learning to fly in Aeronca C-3 aircraft.

After studying at Rutgers University for 2 years, CDR Schirmer joined the US Navy in 1939 in order to pursue an aviation career. He completed his naval aviator training at Jacksonville (FL) NAS, earning his commission as an Ensign in 1940. He continued training at the American Airlines Naval Training School in Fort Worth, TX, and was subsequently assigned to a squadron based at the Alameda (CA) NAS. During his training, he earned single- and multi-engine land, seaplane, instrument, and commercial pilot ratings. Some of the training aircraft he flew included the N2S, N3N, SNJ, and JRB/SRB.

CDR Schimier served during World War II in the South Pacific theatre flying transport, reconnaissance, and evacuation missions in New Guinea, Australia, the Philippines, and the Marianas Islands. The aircraft he flew included OS2U "Kingfisher," J4F "Widgeon," JB-1/2 "Staggerwing," R4D (DC-3), PBY "Catalina," PBM "Mariner," PB4Y "Privateer," and the R2Y (a Navy version of the Consolidated B-24 of which a single example was built).

After WWII, CDR Schirmer briefly separated from the US Navy, partnering with other ex-Navy aviators in the operation of a Concord, CA-based air service utilizing DC-3 aircraft.

CDR Schirmer was recalled to active duty in 1947 serving as pilot and flight crew commander in several US Navy patrol squadrons operating in the Caribbean, North Atlantic, Mediterranean, and North Africa throughout the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s. Among the aircraft he piloted were the PB4Y, P2V "Neptune" and WV/EC-121 "Constellation Warning Star."

CDR Schirmer transitioned from pilot-in-command duties to a number of aviation support roles with the Naval Air Systems Command in Washington, D.C. and Guam before retiring from active duty in 1970.

Shortly after his retirement from the US Navy, CDR Schimier resumed actively flying after purchase of a Mooney M20C "Mark 21." He piloted the Mooney to destinations throughout the continental US. In 1974, CDR Schirmer joined Air Photographies, Inc. as a photo mapping pilot flying Piper PA-23 "Aztec" and Cessna 180 aircraft throughout the eastern US until the early 1990s.

During his civilian aviation career, CDR Schirmer earned his Certified Flight Instructor and Airline Transport ratings in addition to maintaining his commercial and instrument pilot status. Upon retiring from actively flying in the early 1990s, he had logged approximately 20,000 hours as pilot-in-command over more than 55 years of military and civilian service.
CDR Schirmer passed away in 2008 in Williamsport, MD.