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name
HERR, Samuel Franklin - Date of
birth
20 September 1907 -
Age
37 -
Place of birth
Ainsworth, Washington County, Iowa -
Hometown
Columbus Junction, Louisa County, Iowa
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
37189615 -
Rank
Technician Fourth Grade -
Function
Surgical Technician -
Unit
D Company,
81st Tank Battalion,
5th Armored Division,
Medical Detachment
-
Awards
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Died of Wounds - Date of
death
26 February 1945 - Place of
death
Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| J | 11 | 16 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Benjamin F. Herr (father)
Viola V. (Stephens) Herr (mother)
Margaret E. Herr (sister)
Geneva M. Herr (sister)
Winnifred F. Herr (sister)
Lytle W. Herr (brother)
Theodore R. Herr (brother)
Kenneth Herr (brother)
Nellie L. Herr (sister)
Elizabeth Herr (sister)
More information
Sam Herr graduated from Ainsworth High school in 1924.He enlisted on 26 March 1942 and trained at Camp Cooke, California.
T/4 Herr was wounded in action on 26 February 1945. He died of his wounds shortly after despite everything that was done to save his life. The wounds which resulted in his death were incurred when the vehicle in which he was riding, while attempting to go to the aid of a wounded man, struck a mine.
T/4 Herr was known to be courageous and forgetful of his personal safety whenever a wounded man needed his help. He enjoyed an unusually close relationship with both officers and men of his unit. It was "Sam" they asked for whenever they came to the dispensary or aid station for treatment. In recognition of his valor and outstanding service in evacuating the wounded under fire, Major General Lunsford E. Oliver awarded him the Bronze Star Medal on 29 December 1944 (see picture).
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.5ad.org, www.ancestry.com - WWII Bonus Case File / 1910-1920 Census, www.newspapers.com - The Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, Columbus Gazette 15 February 1945
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Maurine Roberts (cousin) and Harold Rees (nephew)