Memorial

More information

In 1943, the U.S. was involved in WWII and Pvt Jacob T. Herman Jr., 18, of Pine Ridge, made his family proud when he became a member of the 82nd Airborne, 505th Parachute Infantry, Company D. More than 40 years later, family was shocked when they received a letter from Groesbeek, the Netherlands, dated 12 August 1986 in regards to Jacobs death during Operation Market Garden in September 1944. Jacob was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division under the command of Brig. Gen. James Gavin, who confirmed that Pvt Herman was killed and buried, at first in a Temporary American Cemetery of Molenhoek. Later, his body was transferred for final interment at Margraten. Jacob´s headstone had a date of death as 22 September 1944, but the family wonders if that is correct because on 19 September 1944, the biggest airborne invasion ever attempted, now known as Operation Market Garden, began. Although the mission was deemed a failure, the 82nd Airborne was responsible for taking over the bridge at the Waal River.

In the book 'Proud to be' by Lt. James J. Meyers, the following is written about the death of Pvt Herman: "Near the railroad bridge at Nijmegen, they came under attack. He told his men to lie down. The soldier behind him was kneeling...he saw a bullet hole in his forehead...the soldier Jacob was dead. This was D+2, which has to be the 19th of September 1944."