[Herschel H. "Herky" Green oral history interview]

Audio recording of an oral history with fighter ace Herschel H. "Herky" Green, January 22, 1992. Microcassette 1 of 1.

Abstract from transcript: Fighter ace Herschel H. "Herky" Green discusses his military service with the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. He describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot and his time with the 317th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group, in the Mediterranean Theater. Particular focus is given to a bomber escort mission to Cagliari, Italy on May 19, 1943, when Green experienced his first aerial combat and narrowly escaped from a group of Messerschmitt Bf 109s.

Green recorded this oral history at the request of historian Eric M. Hammel for his "The American Aces Speak" book series.

Herschel H. "Herky" Green was a fighter ace who served with the U.S. Army Air Forces and U.S. Air Force. He was born on July 3, 1920 in Mayfield, Kentucky. While studying at Vanderbilt University, he enrolled in the Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program and earned his private pilot’s license in 1941. In September of that year, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, receiving his commission in April 1942. Green initially served in stateside assignments with the 57th Pursuit Group and 79th Fighter Group, then joined the newly created 317th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group, for oversees deployment in early 1943. During his service in the Mediterranean Theater, he flew the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, and North American P-51 Mustang.

After World War II, Green remained in military service with the U.S. Air Force. His assignments included serving as deputy commander of the 4th Fighter Group and serving on the staff of the Air Defense Command in Finland, Fifth Air Force Headquarters in Japan, and 25th Air Division Headquarters in Washington State. He retired as a colonel in 1964 and passed away in 2006.