Memorial

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John W. Herb attended college.

He joined the Corps of Engineers of the U.S. Army Reserve in Cambridge, Massachusetts on 4 November 1942 and later transferred to the Air Corps.

On 13 April 1945, Lt Col Baccus led an escort to Gustrow, followed by strafing in northern Germany. The 368th had a big day as they hit Neumünster Airfield and claimed 15 kills; four apiece going to Capt Denman, Lt Barber, and Lt Herb. On one pass, Lt Herb tore off the coolant scoop of his plane when he hit a tree. His engine quit, and while trying to belly-in, his P-51 hit a tree and exploded.

In 1950, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC) investigated Herb’s loss, but was unsuccessful in finding his remains.

In June 2014, a Department of Defense (DoD) team working in the vicinity of Gudow, Germany, interviewed several locals who recalled a U.S. aircraft striking a tree and burning. The locals also reported that the pilot was severely injured in the crash and had been shot by a German soldier who removed him from the wreckage. The witness also stated that his remains were buried near the crash site. The DoD team excavated the suspected burial site, recovering remains and aircraft wreckage.

On 19 February 2015, he was officially accounted for and his remains returned to the United States.

Lt Herb was interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on 18 June 2015.