Herbst, Harry J.

Description

Harry J Herbst was born on March 1, 1916, in Port Chester, New York, to Mary Fagan, age 33, and Harold Herbst, age 44. he was a graduate of Port Chester High School and four letter men. He earned his “PCHS” in football, basketball, track and golf. In Rye his family, including his brother George, lived at 390 Forrest Ave.

Harry enlisted March 26, 1942 and served in the U.S. Army and US Army Air Force during World War II. He was a veteran of both World War II and the Korean conflict. In WWII he first served with U.S. Army – Co. H, 307th Infantry, 77th Division and in July 1942 was promoted to corporal. He was then attached to the military police at Fort Croft, SC. In January, 1943, Harry entered officers candidate school for the Air Force at the University of Florida in Gainsville.

He scribed the below thank you letter for a care package.

“It is deeds like this and other things which you Americans back home are doing that will eventually help us defeat our enemies. We in the Service are fully aware of the fact that it takes more than a soldier in uniform to win war. The aim of our Army is success in battle. This cannot “be obtained, without good morale. You Americans are doing your part in contributing to this factor of morale. We shall do our part and defeat the common enemy thank you again for the cigarettes.”

Harry served various roles in the Air Force during the Korean War. He retired from the US Air Force Reserves on March 1, 1976 with the rank of major. He was a graduate of the Command and Staff College of the US Air Force Colorado Springs CO.

Harry was a retired insulation installer and had worked many years for Asbestos “Distributors in Port Chester. He was a member of Local 91 of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers for 25 years and served as a business agent for the union local for a two-year term.

He was a parishioner of SL Columbanus Church in Peekskill and the founder of the original Lakeland High School Dads Club to 1959. He was a member of VFW Post 8328 in Yorktown and of the Reserve Officers Association.

Harry J Herbst a resident of the Cortlandt area for 32 years died Monday May 11, 1987 at the Northern Westchester Hospital Center in Mount Kisco after a long illness. He was 71.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife the former Caroline Forke of Cortlandt, a son Harry A of East Hampton Conn, two daughters Carol Stebbins of Somers and Kathleen Tivnan of Pawling NY one sister Ethel Zucks of Riviera Beach- Fla and five grandchildren