Herrin, Henry Howard, Jr., PHCS

This Sailor has an (IMO) Memory Of Headstone in Courts of the Missing, Honolulu, Hawaii


During the early morning hours of New Year's Day 1968, an RA-3B Skywarrior (BuNo 144847) of VAP-61 was hit by ground fire while conducting a night reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam. The pilot turned his damaged aircraft seaward and made it out to about 30 miles offshore before the aircraft crashed. Despite extensive searches, the three crewmen - LCDR James R. Dennison, pilot; LTJG Terrence H. Hanley, navigator; and PH1 Henry H. Herrin - were not found. Contrary to some reports, this aircraft was part of the VAP-61 detachment aboard the aircraft carrier USS ORISKANY (CVA-34) and the mission was launched from that carrier

Grade at loss:  E6
Note:           E6 at loss. Promoted while in MIA status to Senior Chief Photographer 
Incident Date:  Monday, 01/01/1968
Change Status:  Thursday, 05/24/1973

My friend Hank
I flew with Hank in Heavy Photographic Squadron 61 '63-64', Hank gave me my first orientation flight as a new crewman in the squadron. We flew off the Constellation in May-Sep as a two plane det flying photo recon over Laos/SVN. Hank was a fantastic A3 3Rd crewman and superb sailor and friend. He had 6 children whom he adored I know they miss him. Hank was on his 2nd tour flying combat missions, he didn't have to take another tour but his sense of duty and patriotism called him to continue to give. HIS SACRIFICE AND SERVICE ARE NOT FORGOTTEN -WE HONOR YOU HANK. Your fellow shipmates and crewman. Kenneth Wood - Friend and fellow crewman