World War II Honoree

Herman J. Becker

Branch of Service

U.S. Coast Guard

Hometown

Vancouver, Washington

Honored By

Family

SERVED IN THE BERING SEA PATROL. HE TRAINED AS A MEDICAL CORPSMAN WITH SPECIALIZED EDUCATION IN AVIATION MEDICINE, BOAT HANDLING AND RESCUE SWIMMING. IN 1943, BECAUSE OF HIS SPECIALIZED QUALIFICATIONS AND PERFORMANCE, HE WAS TRANSFERRED INTO THE OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES (OSS), THE FORERUNNER OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY (CIA). HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE TOP SECRET MARITIME UNIT THAT COOPERATIVELY DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED COVERT OPERATIONS PROGRAMS ACROSS THE GLOBE DURING WWII. THIS PROGRAM WAS THE GENESIS OF THE U.S. NAVY UNDERWATER DEMOLITION AND NAVY SEALS TEAMS. HIS TEAM TRAINED IN SECRET ON THE EAST AND WEST COASTS, THE BAHAMAS AND HAWAII. HE MENTORED OTHER SWIMMERS AT TRAINING CENTERS ON CATALINA ISLAND AND THE BAHAMAS. HIS TEAM IMPLEMENTED AND PROVED THEIR PROGRAMS IN THE PACIFIC, SPECIFICALLY BURMA AND CEYLON (SRI LANKA). HE RECEIVED A SPECIAL COMMENDATION FROM THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE IN THAT COUNTRY.