A story published about my uncle Mink during World War II -
From the Grand Rapids Press, January 1944 (During WWII)
LOCAL SOLDIER DRIVES FLAMING MUNITION TRUCK
Without thought of his personal safety, S/Sgt. Maynard Herrema, 22, drove away a burning half track loaded with high explosive shells and grenades, thereby probably saving the lives of 15 men of his squad who couldn't leave their guns. He was awarded the bronze star medal for this action Jan. 3 on the 7th army front in France, he wrote his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Herrema, R1, Grandville.
S/Sgt. Herrema related that the half-track caught fire when a German shell exploded about 10 feet from his squad. The bursting shell struck a jeep's gas tanks, which exploded, throwing flaming gas in every direction.
"By the grace of God none of us was scratched," wrote Sgt. Herrema, who jumped into a half track not burning and drove it to safety. When he returned an officer called that another vehicle which was ablaze was loaded with explosives.
Thinking only of the safety of my men, I jumped in the half-track and drove it to a safe place. I proceded to slap out the flames with a blanket and to throw the burning equipment over the side," he added. "Miraculously I wasn't burned."
A graduate of Grandville High school and former employee of the Economy Office Supply Co, S/Sgt. Herrema entered the army Jan. 15, 1943 and went overseas last October to join an armored infantry battalion. A brother, M/Sgt. Russell J. Herrema, 24, is believed on his way to Europe. He previously had served 10 months in the Aleutians.
--------------------------
Maynard “Mink” Herrema, age 94, of Grandville, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Wednesday, December 27, 2017. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Ruth (Hoffman) Herrema; and his grandsons Tim and David Schuitman.
Mink is survived by his children Nancy and Jim Aardema, Randy and Jayne Herrema, Doug and Mary Herrema, Jim and Jan Herrema, Ron and Jamie Herrema, Lin and Randy Johnson; his 27 grandchildren; 67 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; his sister, Millie Herrema; Ruth’s siblings, Don Hoffman, Vern and Carol Hoffman; and many nieces and nephews.
Maynard was a WWII veteran who was awarded a Bronze Medal and Purple Heart for his services in Europe. He was a loving husband and father, a local businessman, and owner of Economy Office Supply. He will be best remembered for his love of Jesus, his generosity and his heart for serving people through the ministries of the local church.
A memorial gathering will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at Cook Memorial Chapel (East building), 4235 Prairie St., S.W., Grandville.
In honor of Mink, contributions may be made to Grand Rapids First - Growing Gains.
COOK FH 28 Dec 2017
-------------------
4th of July family tradition had Mink and Ruth opening their home, pool, and hearts to anyone who wanted to come and join them celebrating the country's birthday. Our small town of Grandville would always have a parade, and everyone knew that when the parade ended, Mink would be grilling hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone and providing all the beverages. We all brought dishes to pass, and sometimes there would be 60 people in his backyard, mostly family, but others were welcomed as well. It was a wonderful time to catch up with aunts, uncles and cousins you didn't get to see much during the year, and with a big pool, diving board and slide, everyone got to cool off on a hot day. We all looked forward to that special day with family, and were sad to see our favorite uncle and aunt aging and having to move into assisted living, and then a nursing home. (Written by niece Sandy VanderTol)
From the Grand Rapids Press, January 1944 (During WWII)
LOCAL SOLDIER DRIVES FLAMING MUNITION TRUCK
Without thought of his personal safety, S/Sgt. Maynard Herrema, 22, drove away a burning half track loaded with high explosive shells and grenades, thereby probably saving the lives of 15 men of his squad who couldn't leave their guns. He was awarded the bronze star medal for this action Jan. 3 on the 7th army front in France, he wrote his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Herrema, R1, Grandville.
S/Sgt. Herrema related that the half-track caught fire when a German shell exploded about 10 feet from his squad. The bursting shell struck a jeep's gas tanks, which exploded, throwing flaming gas in every direction.
"By the grace of God none of us was scratched," wrote Sgt. Herrema, who jumped into a half track not burning and drove it to safety. When he returned an officer called that another vehicle which was ablaze was loaded with explosives.
Thinking only of the safety of my men, I jumped in the half-track and drove it to a safe place. I proceded to slap out the flames with a blanket and to throw the burning equipment over the side," he added. "Miraculously I wasn't burned."
A graduate of Grandville High school and former employee of the Economy Office Supply Co, S/Sgt. Herrema entered the army Jan. 15, 1943 and went overseas last October to join an armored infantry battalion. A brother, M/Sgt. Russell J. Herrema, 24, is believed on his way to Europe. He previously had served 10 months in the Aleutians.
--------------------------
Maynard “Mink” Herrema, age 94, of Grandville, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Wednesday, December 27, 2017. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Ruth (Hoffman) Herrema; and his grandsons Tim and David Schuitman.
Mink is survived by his children Nancy and Jim Aardema, Randy and Jayne Herrema, Doug and Mary Herrema, Jim and Jan Herrema, Ron and Jamie Herrema, Lin and Randy Johnson; his 27 grandchildren; 67 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; his sister, Millie Herrema; Ruth’s siblings, Don Hoffman, Vern and Carol Hoffman; and many nieces and nephews.
Maynard was a WWII veteran who was awarded a Bronze Medal and Purple Heart for his services in Europe. He was a loving husband and father, a local businessman, and owner of Economy Office Supply. He will be best remembered for his love of Jesus, his generosity and his heart for serving people through the ministries of the local church.
A memorial gathering will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at Cook Memorial Chapel (East building), 4235 Prairie St., S.W., Grandville.
In honor of Mink, contributions may be made to Grand Rapids First - Growing Gains.
COOK FH 28 Dec 2017
-------------------
4th of July family tradition had Mink and Ruth opening their home, pool, and hearts to anyone who wanted to come and join them celebrating the country's birthday. Our small town of Grandville would always have a parade, and everyone knew that when the parade ended, Mink would be grilling hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone and providing all the beverages. We all brought dishes to pass, and sometimes there would be 60 people in his backyard, mostly family, but others were welcomed as well. It was a wonderful time to catch up with aunts, uncles and cousins you didn't get to see much during the year, and with a big pool, diving board and slide, everyone got to cool off on a hot day. We all looked forward to that special day with family, and were sad to see our favorite uncle and aunt aging and having to move into assisted living, and then a nursing home. (Written by niece Sandy VanderTol)
A story published about my uncle Mink during World War II -
From the Grand Rapids Press, January 1944 (During WWII)
LOCAL SOLDIER DRIVES FLAMING MUNITION TRUCK
Without thought of his personal safety, S/Sgt. Maynard Herrema, 22, drove away a burning half track loaded with high explosive shells and grenades, thereby probably saving the lives of 15 men of his squad who couldn't leave their guns. He was awarded the bronze star medal for this action Jan. 3 on the 7th army front in France, he wrote his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Herrema, R1, Grandville.
S/Sgt. Herrema related that the half-track caught fire when a German shell exploded about 10 feet from his squad. The bursting shell struck a jeep's gas tanks, which exploded, throwing flaming gas in every direction.
"By the grace of God none of us was scratched," wrote Sgt. Herrema, who jumped into a half track not burning and drove it to safety. When he returned an officer called that another vehicle which was ablaze was loaded with explosives.
Thinking only of the safety of my men, I jumped in the half-track and drove it to a safe place. I proceded to slap out the flames with a blanket and to throw the burning equipment over the side," he added. "Miraculously I wasn't burned."
A graduate of Grandville High school and former employee of the Economy Office Supply Co, S/Sgt. Herrema entered the army Jan. 15, 1943 and went overseas last October to join an armored infantry battalion. A brother, M/Sgt. Russell J. Herrema, 24, is believed on his way to Europe. He previously had served 10 months in the Aleutians.
--------------------------
Maynard “Mink” Herrema, age 94, of Grandville, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Wednesday, December 27, 2017. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Ruth (Hoffman) Herrema; and his grandsons Tim and David Schuitman.
Mink is survived by his children Nancy and Jim Aardema, Randy and Jayne Herrema, Doug and Mary Herrema, Jim and Jan Herrema, Ron and Jamie Herrema, Lin and Randy Johnson; his 27 grandchildren; 67 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; his sister, Millie Herrema; Ruth’s siblings, Don Hoffman, Vern and Carol Hoffman; and many nieces and nephews.
Maynard was a WWII veteran who was awarded a Bronze Medal and Purple Heart for his services in Europe. He was a loving husband and father, a local businessman, and owner of Economy Office Supply. He will be best remembered for his love of Jesus, his generosity and his heart for serving people through the ministries of the local church.
A memorial gathering will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at Cook Memorial Chapel (East building), 4235 Prairie St., S.W., Grandville.
In honor of Mink, contributions may be made to Grand Rapids First - Growing Gains.
COOK FH 28 Dec 2017
-------------------
4th of July family tradition had Mink and Ruth opening their home, pool, and hearts to anyone who wanted to come and join them celebrating the country's birthday. Our small town of Grandville would always have a parade, and everyone knew that when the parade ended, Mink would be grilling hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone and providing all the beverages. We all brought dishes to pass, and sometimes there would be 60 people in his backyard, mostly family, but others were welcomed as well. It was a wonderful time to catch up with aunts, uncles and cousins you didn't get to see much during the year, and with a big pool, diving board and slide, everyone got to cool off on a hot day. We all looked forward to that special day with family, and were sad to see our favorite uncle and aunt aging and having to move into assisted living, and then a nursing home. (Written by niece Sandy VanderTol)
From the Grand Rapids Press, January 1944 (During WWII)
LOCAL SOLDIER DRIVES FLAMING MUNITION TRUCK
Without thought of his personal safety, S/Sgt. Maynard Herrema, 22, drove away a burning half track loaded with high explosive shells and grenades, thereby probably saving the lives of 15 men of his squad who couldn't leave their guns. He was awarded the bronze star medal for this action Jan. 3 on the 7th army front in France, he wrote his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Herrema, R1, Grandville.
S/Sgt. Herrema related that the half-track caught fire when a German shell exploded about 10 feet from his squad. The bursting shell struck a jeep's gas tanks, which exploded, throwing flaming gas in every direction.
"By the grace of God none of us was scratched," wrote Sgt. Herrema, who jumped into a half track not burning and drove it to safety. When he returned an officer called that another vehicle which was ablaze was loaded with explosives.
Thinking only of the safety of my men, I jumped in the half-track and drove it to a safe place. I proceded to slap out the flames with a blanket and to throw the burning equipment over the side," he added. "Miraculously I wasn't burned."
A graduate of Grandville High school and former employee of the Economy Office Supply Co, S/Sgt. Herrema entered the army Jan. 15, 1943 and went overseas last October to join an armored infantry battalion. A brother, M/Sgt. Russell J. Herrema, 24, is believed on his way to Europe. He previously had served 10 months in the Aleutians.
--------------------------
Maynard “Mink” Herrema, age 94, of Grandville, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Wednesday, December 27, 2017. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Ruth (Hoffman) Herrema; and his grandsons Tim and David Schuitman.
Mink is survived by his children Nancy and Jim Aardema, Randy and Jayne Herrema, Doug and Mary Herrema, Jim and Jan Herrema, Ron and Jamie Herrema, Lin and Randy Johnson; his 27 grandchildren; 67 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; his sister, Millie Herrema; Ruth’s siblings, Don Hoffman, Vern and Carol Hoffman; and many nieces and nephews.
Maynard was a WWII veteran who was awarded a Bronze Medal and Purple Heart for his services in Europe. He was a loving husband and father, a local businessman, and owner of Economy Office Supply. He will be best remembered for his love of Jesus, his generosity and his heart for serving people through the ministries of the local church.
A memorial gathering will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at Cook Memorial Chapel (East building), 4235 Prairie St., S.W., Grandville.
In honor of Mink, contributions may be made to Grand Rapids First - Growing Gains.
COOK FH 28 Dec 2017
-------------------
4th of July family tradition had Mink and Ruth opening their home, pool, and hearts to anyone who wanted to come and join them celebrating the country's birthday. Our small town of Grandville would always have a parade, and everyone knew that when the parade ended, Mink would be grilling hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone and providing all the beverages. We all brought dishes to pass, and sometimes there would be 60 people in his backyard, mostly family, but others were welcomed as well. It was a wonderful time to catch up with aunts, uncles and cousins you didn't get to see much during the year, and with a big pool, diving board and slide, everyone got to cool off on a hot day. We all looked forward to that special day with family, and were sad to see our favorite uncle and aunt aging and having to move into assisted living, and then a nursing home. (Written by niece Sandy VanderTol)
Inscription
S.SGT US ARMY WWII
BRONZE STAR MEDAL
PURPLE HEART
He served God Family Country
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