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The following information is lifted from rangerfamily.org, which is an auxiliary to the Ranger Battalions Association of WWII (RBA). Because it's a direct quote, only the formatting is changed unless otherwise noted.
Ranger Thomas E Herring is identified as an Honorary Member of the 75th Ranger Regiment for his outstanding service as a Ranger during World War II, as an original member of the 5th Ranger Battalion, and for his dedicated service as National and Chapter Secretary, Ranger Battalions Association, WWII; President and Executive Vice President, U.S. Army Ranger Association.
Ranger Herring joined the 5th Ranger Battalion when it was activated at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, September 1943. He was a Mortar Squad Leader when he hit the beach at Normandy where the motto,"Rangers Lead The Way" originated and fought with the battalion in all of its major campaigns. He was hospitalized in November 1944 and forced to leave the battalion. Ranger Herring was discharged from the Army in February 1945.
Following WWII, like many returning veterans, Tom Herring entered college under the GI Bill. He graduated from the University of Florida as a Graduate Engineer in February 1950. He worked in international construction for 40 years, retiring as an Estimating Manager responsible for major construction projects from $1 million to over $300 million dollars. In his construction career, Herring worked in 38 countries throughout the continents of Europe, Africa, Asia and North America.
Ranger Herring has given his talents and dedication to the Ranger community by serving as Ranger Battalions WWII Chapter Secretary since 1986 and its National Secretary since 1995. During 1988 through 1990, he demonstrated even more outstanding leadership ability while serving as President, U.S. Army Ranger Association and is considered to be the wise mentor of that association's national officers.
Ranger Thomas E. Herring is a living example of the Ranger Creed. His contributions as a young enlisted Ranger who crossed the beaches of Normandy and fought across the continent of Europe in WWII to save the world from tyranny are an indelible part of Ranger heritage and history. Throughout his civilian career and through his leadership positions in two Ranger associations, most especially his assistance in revitalizing the U.S. Army Ranger Association, he has distinguished himself as a Ranger who has the ability to fight on to the Ranger objective, while never leaving a fallen comrade on the field of battle. His everyday service to these Ranger associations reflect that day on the beach when "Rangers Lead The Way" became a way of life.
Tom's ashes were inurned in a service at Arlington on Tuesday, August 2, 2005, with full military honors. You will be missed, Ranger Tom!
Biographical Information
This information was on this site prior to Ranger Herring's passing. It remains here, in lightly edited form, for historical purposes.
Born in Atlanta, GA, raised in Miami, FL, Herring enlisted in the Army in late 1942. Having applied for aerial gunnery school, the paratroopers, and the Rangers, Herring was accepted into the 5th Ranger Bn in September 1943. Following extensive training in the U.S. and British Isles, the 5th Bn landed in the early waves of the invasion of France at Omaha Beach in Normandy, fighting across Europe to Germany. After a medical discharge in early 1945, Herring attended the Univ. of Florida, graduating with an Engineering degree in 1950. In the subsequent years, Herring worked in engineering and on major construction projects around the world with a major international construction company, retiring in 1991. Herring is a life member of the Ranger Battalions Assn-WWII, the USARA, the Ranger Regiment Assn, and the Combat Infantrymen's Assn. Herring is also a life associate member of RIC(A), an honorary member of Merrill's Marauders, an honorary member of the 75th Ranger Regiment, and was named Static Line Ranger of the Year in 1991. For the 15 years prior to his passing in 2005, Herring has served as USARA President, Executive Vice President, and Treasurer. Herring resided in Charlotte, NC.
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