Profiles Spring-Summer 2014 HFDFW

 

Herbert was in the infantry from January, 1943 to May, 1943 as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the 180^th Infantry Regiment, 45^th Infantry Division. From May, 1943 to January, 1944 Herbert was in pilot training.

After pilot training, Herbert was an instructor with the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter from February, 1944 to December, 1944.

In January, 1945 Herbert was sent to Europe and flew P-47’s with the 358^th Fighter Group of the 9^th AAF.

In March, 1945 the 9^th AAF’s was mostly concerned with the dangerous job of strafing trains, airfields, etc. The German Luftwaffe rarely challenged the fighters since pilots, planes and fuel were in short supply. In that month however, Herbert was wounded in a strafing run on a German airfield.

Later, Herbert was shot down and became a POW in a German Luftwaffe prison camp. He was rescued by American forces in May, 1945.

Herbert was awarded the Air Medal, Purple Heart and the Presidential Unit Citation. He was discharged in January 8, 1946 with the rank of 1^st Lieutenant.