Herman C. Harrison, Jr. was born on July 11, 1947, in Overlook Hospital, in Summit, NJ. He was the son of Herman and Thelma Harrison and the brother of Jo Ann, Joyce and Kevin. He moved to Elizabeth, NJ, at an early age where he attended Halloran Elementary School, Roosevelt Jr. High School and then went on to graduate from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1965.

During his years at Jefferson High School, Herman was active in football, outdoor track, the Glee Club, the Yearbook Staff and the Jefferson Student Organization. Herman was well liked by his classmates and teachers at Jefferson High School.

He was a loving, kind-hearted and affectionate person. He promised his parents that when he finished his tour of duty with the Air Force, he was going to buy them a house. Herman will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who knew him best.

In July 1965, he left Elizabeth, NJ, to enlist in the US Air Force. He did his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and was later stationed in Valdosta, GA, where he was a member of the 12th Air Force Hospital Squadron. Harrison arrived in Vietnam in February 1968, and was stationed at Cam Ranh Bay. He attained the rank of Sergeant (SGT).

Harrison was killed in action on December 7, 1968, at the age of 21, just a few weeks before his scheduled return to the States. He was given a funeral with full military honors and is buried in Fairmount Cemetery, Newark, NJ.

Sources: Thelma Harrison (mother), Joyce Henderson (sister) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024