NY J01264

Posthumously awards the New York State Senate Liberty Medal to Donald Herring, Sr., the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the Senate for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts

Herring served in the United States Navy from April 1972 to June 1973 as a 632 Ordnance Mechanic and E2 Airman Apprentice with the VF-31 Fighter Squadron ("Tomcatters") during the Vietnam War

Born March 21, 1955 in Poughkeepsie, New York, he enlisted at age 17 and was honorably discharged, returning home with PTSD from his wartime experiences

Recognized for his community contributions in Poughkeepsie, where he was known for his mechanical skills helping neighbors with car repairs and his generosity

Left a legacy as a devoted family man with four children and seventeen grandchildren, with siblings who also served in the military including a brother in the Navy and sister in the Coast Guard