World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award from US Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal in Washington, D.C. on September 17, 1945 for his actions as a US Navy lieutenant junior grade assigned to the landing craft USS LOI(G)-449 on February 17, 1945, at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, Japan. Following his graduation from Davidson College, North Carolina in 1942, he enlisted in the US Navy Reserve and received a commission as an ensign. After his diesel engine training, he was sent to the Pacific Theater of Operation and received amphibious assault training in the Solomon Islands. He participated in the Battles of Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, Guam, and Iwo Jima. On that day, while shelling enemy positions in support of Underwater Demolition Team swimmers, his craft was heavily hit by Japanese counterfire and went out of control. Despite very serious wounds that left him gravely weakened, he took the helm, rallied his men, and kept the ship in action. Following the war, he retired with the rank of lieutenant commander and returned to his hometown and pursued a business career. He died at the age of 74. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "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 8, during the pre-invasion attack on Iwo Jima on 17 February 1945. Boldly closing the strongly fortified shores under the devastating fire of Japanese coastal defense guns, Lt. (then Lt. [jg]) 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 critically 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, Lt. Herring resolutely climbed down to the pilothouse and, fighting against his rapidly waning strength, took over the helm, established communication with the engineroom, 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 Lt. Herring and uphold the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service."