Honoring Service: Veteran Douglas G. Herron, WW II and Korea

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Douglas G. Herron was a former Personnel Director for City of Rye and graduated magna cum laude from Rye High School in 1935. He served in the United States Coast Guard in World War II and the Korean War.

Date of Birth: 16 December 1917
Died On: 9 December 2006 (aged 88)
Street Address: 45 Redfield Street
Branch of Service: U.S. Coast Guard

Douglas G. Herron was born December 16, 1917, in Cleveland, Ohio to George William and Lynda Krueger Herron. The family lived briefly in Larchmont, NY before settling at 45 Redfield Street, Rye, NY in 1922. He was educated in Rye, attending Milton School and graduating magna cum laude from Rye High School in 1935.

Douglas earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, in 1939, where he was a member of the Brown Yacht Club and Brown Christian Association. He earned a degree in aviation sciences from the University of California at Berkeley, along with his private pilot’s license.

Douglas served in the Coast Guard Reserve from 1941 to 1977, attaining the rank of Captain. He was called to active duty during both WW II and the Korean War, and served in the Reserve until his retirement. He belonged to Rye Post 128 of the American Legion. During his WW II tour of duty, he was photographed by National Geographic while landing General Patton on the shores of North Africa.

On Dec. 6, 1955, he married Anita Neumeyer, formerly of Bay City, Michigan. He was the long-time Scoutmaster of Rye’s Troop 2 and a council member of the Hutchinson River Boy Scout Council. For his work as an adult leader, he was awarded the Silver Beaver. Douglas also volunteered for many years as Treasurer of the Rye Historical Society, doing the books on his lunch hour from Rye City Hall, across the Village Green. He was active in the Rye Conservation Society/Rye Nature Center, a Board member of the Dad’s Club of Rye High School, and President of the SUNY Maritime College Parents Association. Douglas was also an ordained Deacon and Elder of the Rye Presbyterian Church. 

Douglas G. Herron died of natural causes on December 9, 2006 in Greenwich Hospital. He was 88. Prior to his twenty-year position as Personnel Director for City of Rye, Douglas was with the American Bankers Association in NYC, and in Public Relations for General Motors, for which he traveled around the country presenting scientific shows.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife Anita (Ann), his sisters Elaine Hadley of Hilton Head, SC and Nancy Neumeyer of Naples, FL, son James of Mountlake Terrace, Washington, daughter Dr. Ruth Herron Smalt, son-in-law Dr. Robert Smalt, and three grand-daughters, Robin, Lindy and Molly Smalt, all of Rye. More on Herron.