Herman McLawhorn

Herman H. Mc Lawhorn was born at Kinston, North Carolina, May 19, 1929. He attended Contentnea Elementary School and Hookerton High School. After returning from Korea, he returned to farming. In 1956, he was employed by Serv-Air, inc. as a flight dispatcher. Serv-Air was an Air Force training school for pilots and operated Stallings Air Force base located at Kinston, North Carolina. Upon the termination of Serv-Air's contract with the Air Force, the base close. Herman entered East Carolina College in 1958 and majored in Accounting. He completing his studies in 1962. He then began working as a Staff Accountant for  Simon Sitterson, CPA for seventeen years. He was hired by a client to be Controller for Robert Hill Construction Company, Neil Realty Company and Neil Medical Group, Inc. The term lasted for twenty-two years. He retired in 2001.

He was drafted into the Army in January 10, 1951, sent to Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky. After sixteen weeks of Infantry basic and advance infantry training, he was assigned to eight weeks of Infantry Leadership School, after which he was promoted to PFC. Upon completion of training, he arrived in Korea on August 14, 1951. He was assigned to Company G, Fifth Regimental Combat Team.

During the next nine months, The Fifth Regimental Combat Team, part of the 24th Infantry Division, was engaged in combat for one hundred thirty-eight days. On October 7, 1951, the 5th RCT relieved the 31st Infantry Regiment near  Champg'yong'dong, North Korea. Several weeks of intense fighting, the enemy was pushed further into North Korea. Near the village of Kumson, hill 770 was captured. The Regiment stayed there through the winter (sometimes the temperature dropped to forty degrees below zero) On February 24, 1952, the 5th RCT was relieved by 224th Regiment of 40th Infantry Division. Herman held the positions of Automatic Rifleman to Squad Leader during that time.

The 5th RCT was then dispatched to the United Nations  Prisoner of War  Compound located at Koje-do Island off the tip to South Korea. During the stay, the RCT quelled three riots by the North Korean prisoners. After two months the RCT returned to Inje Valley . Mc Lawhorn was promoted to Sergeant sometime in April. He returned to the United States arriving at Seattle on July 4, 1952. He was assigned to the Separation Center at Fort Jackson, South Carolina for two months . On October 10, 1952 he was released from active duty and assigned to the Army Reserve.

On June 2, 1955, he received a direct appointment as a Second Lieutenant in the North Carolina Army National Guard. Over the next twenty-seven years, he held numerous assignments. Most notable were Battery Commander, Battery A 690th Field Artillery Battalion, Executive Officer, 690th Maintenance Battalion and Battalion Commander 730th Maintenance Battalion. He retired on June 29, 1982 with rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He has a total of thirty-one years of military service.

Awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, North Carolina Meritorious Service Medal, North Carolina Commendation Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea Service Medal, North Carolina Meritorious Unit Citation, North Carolina Distinguished Unit Citation and Korean Presidential Unit Citation.

He is a life member of the Combat Infantryman's Association, The Twenty-fourth Infantry Division Association, The Reserve Officers Association, The American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, The National Guard Association of the United States and The North Carolina National Guard Association. He is also a member of the Korean War Veterans Association and the Fifth Regimental Combat Team Association. He has served as Post Commander of American Legion Post # 43 (1999-2000) and Chairperson of  Salute! A Tribute to America's Veterans for  the  years 2003 & 2004. In December 2005, He accepted the position as Curator of the Walk of Honor

Herman H. Mc Lawhorn is one of four sons who have worn the uniform of the United States Army. William A. Mc Lawhorn served during World War Two. He was a Pearl Harbor Survivor. Herman was drafted during the Korean War. After returning home, He joined the North Carolina Army National Guard, Douglas Mc Lawhorn and Kenneth Mc Lawhorn also served in the North Carolina Army National Guard.

He is married to Bonnie Hall McLawhorn. They have three daughters, two sons and ten  grandchildren, and three great-granddaughters.

He is honored by his wife, Bonnie Hall Mc Lawhorn.