James T. Herman
Corporal
579th USAF Band
United States Army Air Force
1948-1952

     James T. "Jim" Herman was born 2 June 1929 in Wynne, Arkansas, the only son of Johnnie James and Fannie Pauline Howell Herman. He grew up with one sister, Vara Ann "Bridget". Jim graduated from Wynne High School in 1947 and while in school was the tuba player with the band. He, also, took a course with the Radio Television Training Association. After graduation, he went to work for Western Electric Company as a central office telephone installer.
    Jim entered the U.S. Air Force 30 August 1948 and was assigned duty as a tuba player with the 579th USAF Band at Brooks AFB in San Antonio, Texas. The band was subsequently transferred to Stewart AFB in Newburg, New York and became the Eastern Air Defense Force Band. The band was sent all over the area to play for parades, dances and ceremonies and Jim, also, played bass fiddle in their dance band. While stationed in Newberg, Jim met Lillian McEntire and they were married 26 August 1951. He was discharged 1 July 1952. He had earned the Good Conduct Medal; the Sharpshooter Medal and Expert Rifleman Medal.
    Jim and Lillian have four children: Leslie, Mike, Lil and Ennis. After his military service, he has worked as Station Agent for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, a Met Life Insurance Agent, Managing Editor of the Marvell Messenger, Treating Plant Operator for Arkansas Power and Light Company and an electronic technician. Since 1970, Jim has owned and operated an electronics service business in Scottsdale, Arizona, specializing in electronic musical instruments, avionics test equipment and police traffic safety radar.