James Dewey Herndon

“ Good night sweet prince and may flights of angels carry thee to thy rest”.

Hamlet

And so it was, in the early morning hours of November 7, 2021, Heaven opened its golden gate, and the angels carried James Dewey Herndon through the doors of Heaven. After a very meaningful and honorable life, Jim’s journey ended here on Earth. Jim was born in Oklahoma City on August 22, 1931, to Floetta Gates and George Dewey Herndon. And yes, he was a very big baby. He worked in his parents’ neighborhood grocery store until his 1949 graduation from Capitol Hill High School. After only three months as a Private in the US Marine Corps Reserves, the US Army recognized Jim’s leadership skills and sent him to Officer Candidate School in Ft. Benning, Ga.

In 1951, Jim graduated from Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant Infantry Officer. During his first duty assignment in the Korean Conflict, Jim was a Platoon Leader in the 5th Infantry Regiment. He then joined the 188th Airborne Infantry Regiment and deployed to Europe. From 1960-65, Jim was a Special Forces Detachment Commander (Green Berets) at Fort Bragg NC and Okinawa. As Special Forces A team leader, Jim briefed President Kennedy on Special Forces and asked that the Green Beret be made an official part of the uniform. After his return to the States from Okinawa Jim attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS and then attended the Defense Language School at the Presidio in Monterey, CA. to study the Vietnamese language. He returned to Vietnam as Advisor of the Second Vietnamese Corps and as Battalion Commander of 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry. Jim’s impressive military career ended in Germany as the Deputy G2 (Intelligence) V Corps, the G2 V Corps, G4 (Logistics) VII Corps, and finally Community Leader of Ludwigsburg-Stuttgart North. Among the last missions of his military career, Jim led a covert 6-man team into Iran to recover property of 11,000 Americans who fled during regime change.

Jim was an ardent patriot. His military honors and decorations include: Master Parachutist Badge, The Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman Badge (2 awards), Legion of Merit (2 awards), Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star, 4 Overseas service bars, Vietnam Silver Star Medal 1st Class, and the Infantry Hall of Fame.

Jim was a courageous and brave warrior who valued and fought for freedom. Above all, he was a man of peace and integrity. A grateful and gentle man, Jim had a generous heart and entertained others with his priceless sense of humor. Jim was a difference- maker who excelled as a husband, father, soldier, mentor, and friend. May we resolve to honor Jim’s memory by filling the dark and hurting places on this side of Heaven with more light, love, and beauty of our own.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents George and Floetta, sister Beth, brother Dean, first wife Atha Mae Bailey, and sons Randall and Blake.

Jim is survived by his wife Mikey Thorp Herndon, his wife of 47years, son James (Junnette), grandsons Tyler (Kaitlin) and James, and great-grandson Tripp, plus nieces, nephews, a sister-in-law, a brother-in-law, friends, and many cousins.

Burial with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Sunday, May 15, 2022, from 1:00pm – 5:00 pm

Lawn of the Charles Johnson House, American Legion

404 Atlanta Street, Austin, Texas 78703

Program begins at 1:30 with light refreshments to follow.

All that knew and loved Jim are welcomed.

Memorials may be made to the following foundations supported by Jim.

National Parks Foundation, Arbor Day Foundation, Ocean Conservancy and Army Historical Foundation.

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