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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --
Lieutenant Commander Rufus G. Herring, USNR (Retired), (1921-1996)
Rufus Geddie Herring was born on 11 June 1921 at Roseboro,
North Carolina. Graduating from Davidson College in the Spring
of 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve and subsequently
attended the U.S. Naval Reserve Midshipman School at New York
City. After being commissioned in the rank of Ensign in December
1942, he received diesel engine instruction at the University
of Illinois, followed by orders to the Amphibious Training Base
at Solomons, Maryland. In August 1943 he assumed command of the
newly completed USS LCI(L)-449 and remained her Commanding
Officer during the next year and a half. Herring was promoted
to Lieutenant (Junior Grade) in March 1944 and between February
and July of that year he participated in the invasions of Kwajalein,
Saipan, Tinian and Guam.
In February 1945 Herring's ship, by then designated LCI(G)-449,
took part in the preinvasion bombardment of Iwo Jima. On 17 February,
while shelling enemy positions in support of Underwater Demolition
Team swimmers, she was heavily hit by Japanese counterfire and
went out of control. Despite very serious wounds that left him
gravely weakened, Herring took the helm, rallied his men, and
kept the ship in action. For his "conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call
of duty," he was awarded the Medal
of Honor.
Sent back to the United States for hospitization, Herring was
promoted to Lieutenant in August 1945. In April 1947, he was transferred
to the Retired List with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Rufus
G. Herring subsequently returned to Roseboro, where he pursued
a business career. He died on 31 January 1996 and is buried at
Roseboro, North Carolina.
This page features the only image we have concerning Rufus
G. Herring.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 103914
Lieutenant Rufus G. Herring, USNR
Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official
publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy",
page 205.
Rufus G. Herring received the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life" on 17
February 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He was a Lieutenant
(Junior Grade) at the time of that action.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 51KB; 590 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 104043
Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Rufus G. Herring, USNR
Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal presents the Medal of Honor
to Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Herring on 5 September 1945 at Washington
D.C. He received the award for "conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life" while in command of
USS LCI(G)-449 during the pre-invasion attack on Iwo Jima,
17 February 1945.
Also present are, from left center to right center:
Mrs. Susan Geddie Herring (Lt. Herring's mother),
Mrs. L. Geddie (his aunt),
and Mr. L. Geddie (his uncle).
This photograph has been retouched to crop and emphasize Lt(JG)
Herring's image for publication in "All Hands" Magazine.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the "All Hands"
Collection at the Naval Historical Center.
Online Image: 64KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
 |
Medal of Honor citation of Lieutenant Rufus G. Herring, USNR
(as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor,
1861-1949, The Navy", page 205):
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer
of LCI (G) 449 operating as a unit of LCI (G) Group EIGHT,
during the preinvasion attack on Iwo Jima on 17 February 1945.
Boldly closing the strongly fortified shores under the devasting
fire of Japanese coastal defense guns, Lieutenant (then Lieutenant,
Junior Grade,) Herring directed shattering barrages of 40-mm.
and 20-mm. gunfire against hostile beaches until struck down
by the enemy's savage counterfire which blasted the 449's
heavy guns and whipped her decks into sheets of flame. Regaining
consciousness despite profuse bleeding he was again critially
wounded when a Japanese mortar crashed the conning station, instantly
killing or fatally wounding most of the officers and leaving
the ship wallowing without navigational control. Upon recovering
the second time, Lieutenant Herring resolutely climbed down to
the pilot house and, fighting against his rapidly waning strength,
took over the helm, established communication with the engine
room and carried on valiantly until relief could be obtained.
When no longer able to stand, he propped himself against empty
shell cases and rallied his men to the aid of the wounded; he
maintained position in the firing line with his 20-mm guns in
action in the face of sustained enemy fire and conned his crippled
ship to safety. His unwavering fortitude, aggressive perseverance
and indomitable spirit against terrific odds reflect the highest
credit upon Lieutenant Herring and uphold the highest traditions
of the United States Naval Service." |
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Page made 23 July 2006
New image added 9 December 2006