Walter W. Herbert, Jr. Master Gunnery Sergeant, USMC Retired, died Tuesday, January 6, 2009. Born in Newberry, South Carolina on October 30, 1920, he was the son of Walter W. and Charlotte Jackson Herbert, and was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church since his family moved to James Island in 1950. He was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Eloise Hutto and is survived by two daughters: Harriet, and Mary H. Low (Bob); three sons: Walter III, Lester H, (Margo) and Thomas J., two granddaughters: Lauren E. Low and Alexandra R. Herbert. Walter attended the local schools and was graduated from Charleston High School in the February Class of 1938. He was attending the Citadel in the Class of 1942 when Pearl Harbor was attacked and he immediately enlisted the US Marine Corps, (eventually serving through three Wars: WWII, Korea and Viet Nam). Upon completing his training at Parris Island, he volunteered for the newly formed Glider Squadron, a “Suicide” Mission, formed to land troops in the Pacific Islands. He is believed to have been the last member of this 125 man group. Upon disbanding this Squadron in 1943, he was assigned to Support Carriers working with Corsairs in World War II and helicopters in the Korean and Viet Nam Wars. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1970 after having already begun the Herbert Tennis Center on James Island. He had been an avid tennis player since his youth and won numerous titles during his shore duties. Walter was instrumental in establishing Post #445 Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Marine Corps League on James Island. He was also a Member of the American Legion, the 40 and 8, Post #147, Sons of the Legion, Fleet Reserve Association, Low Country Airborne, and the Elks Lodge 242 BPOE. Walter was an honorary member of the James Island PSD Fire Service and one of the original supporters of self-government since the 1960’s on James Island. He married Mary Clark, Mayor of the Town of James Island in 2004. Walter had many interests and hobbies – horticulture, history, the Marine Corps and Civil War History. He returned to the Citadel and graduated in 1973, 34 years after he first entered; he proudly wore a “no-numbers” ring issued by the Citadel to those who entered service in WWII before graduation. Walter’s like will not soon pass this way again. Walter will be buried with full Military Honors at the Beaufort National Cemetery on Friday, January 9th at 12:30 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at James A. McAlister Funeral Chapel, located at 1620 Savannah Highway on Saturday, January 10th at 4:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the charity of your choice or Walter’s: the Elks Alzheimer Fund, VFW Post #445 Building Fund, or the American Legion Post #147 Building Fund. Arrangements by JAMES A. MCALISTER, INC., 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths. Tags: 1942
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