Although he was over the age of 30 in 1939, John Herbst joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, earned his wings, and was a ferry pilot in England before the United States entered World War II. Transferring to the U.S. Army Air Service in May 1942, he became a TRIPLE ACE, credited with shooting down 18 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, becoming the FOURTEENTH Air Force’s top ace and the second-oldest American ACE of the war. Remaining in service after the war, he was killed in a demonstration flight of the new P-40 jet fighter at the fair grounds in San Diego on July 4, 1946.
Sponsored by:
John
Coleman
Herbst
June 25, 1909
–
July 4, 1946
Born:
San Diego
,
California
Home:
San Mateo
,
California
Buried:
Glendale
,
California
Cemetery:
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Awards Received
-
Silver Star
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
74th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
23d Fighter GroupDivision:
14th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 14th Air Force, General Orders No. 85 (November 11, 1944)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) John Coleman Herbst (ASN: 0-1699245), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane of the 74th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, FOURTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Herbst, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
74th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
23d Fighter GroupDivision:
14th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Coleman Herbst (ASN: 0-1699245), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 74th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, FOURTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
74th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
23d Fighter GroupDivision:
14th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Coleman Herbst (ASN: 0-1699245), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 74th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, FOURTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
74th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
23d Fighter GroupDivision:
14th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Coleman Herbst (ASN: 0-1699245), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 74th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, FOURTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
74th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
23d Fighter GroupDivision:
14th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Coleman Herbst (ASN: 0-1699245), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 74th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, FOURTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.