Thread: Leonard Herman - one of the most decorated airmen of WW2

I read Leonards book and really enjoyed it .... but today I came across something that really disturbed me ...... and made me angry - about the injustice of it - what the h**l is the matter with the VA ??!! .........

Leonard Herman, 90, is one of the most decorated airmen from the European theater in World War Two. He flew two tours of combat, first in the 95th Bomb Group on B-17’s, and later in the 9th Air Force, with the Bridge Busters, in A-26 and B-26 medium bombers.

An original member of the 95th Bomb Group, he flew on the first mission of the war for the group in May 1943. In 1945, as a bombardier on a 9th Air Force A-26 medium bomber based in liberated France, he helped deal the death blow to Adolph Hitler´s ground forces in the last weeks of the war. From 1943 to 1945, Herman participated in the Battles of Northern Europe, Northern France, the Rhineland, the Ardennes, and Central Europe. His decorations include the World War Two Victory Ribbon, the EAME Theater Ribbon with five stars, the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, three overseas bars, the American Defense Ribbon, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Unit Badge with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the ATO Ribbon. He is also under current consideration for a Medal of Honor. He was Project Coordinator on the oral history of the 95th Bomb Group, B-17s over Berlin, which is published by Potomac Books. He lives in Columbus, Georgia

I got a call from Linda, Leonard Herman's daughter, yesterday. She called to let me know that the VA denied Leonard's $300 burial benefit and headstone. Len passed away in October, and it took until now for the VA to send the letter denying payment.

Of course we will be appealing this, and I am fairly certain I can get the decision reversed, but it's still a sad commentary when a man who flew two tours of duty over Europe in World War Two and who helped change US occupation policy towards concentration camp survivors would get such shabby treatment the country he so dearly loved.

The battle is joined, and Leonard Herman will once again come out of the flak-filled sky victorious against the faceless bureaucracy, the same way he always did in his B-17 and his Marauder so many years ago when his country needed him.

God bless you, Leonard. I'll never forget you and we'll make sure you get what you earned with your sweat, blood and tears in World War Two

Remembering World War Two Airmen

PHOBEPHADAFENK
What the hell could you expect from someone with a name like PhopePhadaFenk
Keith