Ensign Wilbur Homer Herring, USN

Ensign Wilbert Homer Herring was born November 25, 1927 in Norborne MO, and moved to Chesterton IN with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. David E Herring, when he was 14 years old.  He graduated from Chesterton HS in 1946.  He enrolled at NMAMC in the fall of 1946 to study engineering.  He enlisted in the US Navy in April 1948.  He took his boot training at Great Lakes NTC, and then was sent to Bayonne NJ on active duty.  His next assignment was to Pensacola FL.  On August 10, 1950, while training as a naval aviator, he was struck by an out of control aircraft while standing alongside the flight line at Barin Field AL.  He was transferred to the Naval Hospital at Pensacola NAS suffering severe injuries that left him in a coma and lead to the amputation of his leg.  On October 4th, 1950, with his mother present, he was presented his gold naval aviator wings and commission for completing flight training.  The wings had been purchased for him by his squadron mates in hopes that presenting them would speed his recovery.  On October 5th, 1950, he died as a result of toxic infection that arose from his accident.  He was survived by his wife, the former Myrtle G Ferguson of Passaquela MS, whom he had married early in the year and their daughter Lynda Sue. 

Ensign Wilber Homer Herring was 23 years of age at the time of his death in service to his nation.