Retired Col. Herschel H. “Herky” Green, who amassed 18 aerial victory credits during World War II, died Aug. 16 in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., of cancer, reports the Daily Breeze. He was 86. Green served in the European and African theaters, flying 100 combat missions and 402 combat hours. He retired from the Air Force in 1964.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.