World War II Honoree

Richard A. Herndobler

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Portland, Oregon

Honored By

Christopher Herndobler

Relationship

Son

HE JOINED THE NAVAL RESERVE WHILE GOING TO COLLEGE. SHORTLY AFTER HE WENT ON ACTIVE DUTY, HE TRAINED AS AN ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE OFFICER. HE SERVED AS A LINE OFFICER ON SEVERAL DESTROYER ESCORTS ON CONVOY DUTY IN THE ATLANTIC. WHILE SERVING AS OFFICER OF THE DECK ON THE BRIDGE OF THE USS FOGG (DE-57), ONE OF THE SHIPS IN A CONVOY WAS TORPEDOED OFF THE COAST OF SPAIN. WHEN FOGG BEGAN TO SEARCH FOR THE SUBMARINE, SHE, TOO, WAS TORPEDOED BY GERMAN SUBMARINE U-870, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF LIFE OF 15 SAILORS AND MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE SHIP. LATER IN THE WAR, HE SERVED ON DESTROYER ESCORTS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC, PARTICIPATED IN THE SHELLING OF THE ISLAND HONSHU, JAPAN, IN PREPARATION FOR THE PLANNED INVASION, AND SUPPORTED THE MARINES IN SHANGHAI, CHINA.