Presented By/Date: The Woodhead Family and the Renn Family / August 14, 2024
Dates of Birth/Death: July 8, 1925 / November 9, 2012
Dates of Military Service: 1943 to 1946
Service Branch/Stations: U.S. Navy
Highest Rank: Pharmacist's Mate 3rd Class (Phm3c)
Veterans Hometown: Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Who is this Veteran? Harry Martin Herman, Jr. (1925-2012) will forever remain an American Hero as well as our Hero. He was a US Navy Veteran, having served during WW II in the Pacific Theater. After his discharge, he worked to become an accomplished social service professional, rising to the position of Director of Speech Pathology & Audiology for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying golfing, hunting and fishing. He looked forward to spending his winters tying flies in anticipation of the opening day of trout season. We embraced him as our beloved Step-Father and Step-Grandfather.
Harry entered the US Navy on 1 Sep 1943 at age 18. Following basic training, he attended USN Training Schools as a Pharmacist's Mate (a Navy Medic). Harry was then attached to the the 27th Regiment, 5th Marine division and assigned to the USS Hansford APA-106, a new, Bayfield-class attack transport ship for the Pacific Theater. Following sea trials, she sailed for Pearl Harbor on 25 Nov 1944. The ship, the crew, the Marines and their attached Navy Corpsmen would subsequently play important roles in the initial assault wave of Iwo Jima and later for close support to the invasion of Okinawa. Harry's job, as a Pharmacist's Mate 3rd Class, was to provide critical medical care to casualties on the beachhead and aboard ship. He also participated in the Philippine Campaigns and then the occupation forces in Japan. His ship was standing in Tokyo Bay with the USS Missouri BB63 when Japan's Instrument of Surrender was signed. The USS Hansford then became a quartering-ship for the newly-released allied POWs. The ship was also part of Operation Magic Carpet to transport our troops home. Through it all, Harry continued to provide medical services. He was honorably discharged from the US Navy on 11 Apr 1946. For Harry's efforts in the US Navy, he was awarded the Pacific Theater Ribbon (2 stars), American Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and a USN Letter of Commendation. We are honored to have known and loved Harry Martin Herman, Jr.
About this Tribute Tree: Oregon White Oak
Planting Date: November 2024
