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Photo # NH 103914: Lieutenant Rufus G. Herring, USNR

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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.


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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."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 23 July 2006
New image added 9 December 2006