Herb Suerth

Herbert John “Herb” Suerth Jr. (October 28, 1924 – October 14, 2017) was an American Army soldier and World War II veteran. He served as a Corporal with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, joining the company as a replacement shortly before the Battle of the Bulge.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Suerth attended DePaul Academy before enrolling at Marquette University to study mechanical engineer...

Herbert John “Herb” Suerth Jr. (October 28, 1924 – October 14, 2017) was an American Army soldier and World War II veteran. He served as a Corporal with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, joining the company as a replacement shortly before the Battle of the Bulge.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Suerth attended DePaul Academy before enrolling at Marquette University to study mechanical engineering. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in November 1942 and initially volunteered for the Reserve Engineer Corps. In 1944, he transferred to the airborne forces and completed parachute training before joining Easy Company in France.

Suerth arrived with Easy Company at Mourmelon-le-Grand shortly before the German offensive in the Ardennes. He was sent with the company to Bastogne in December 1944 and fought during the Battle of the Bulge, including the fighting around Foy. On January 9, 1945, Suerth was severely wounded by German artillery fire near Recogne, northwest of Foy. Both of his legs were badly fractured, but doctors were able to save them. He was evacuated to England and returned to the United States in April 1945, ending his combat service. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his wounds.

After the war, Suerth returned to Marquette University and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. He married Monna and raised a large family in Minnesota. He later became general manager of Leef Brothers, a Minneapolis industrial laundry company, serving in the position from 1980 until his retirement in 1990. Suerth remained closely involved with his fellow Easy Company veterans, attending company reunions for six decades and serving as president of the Men of Easy Company for ten years. He was also involved in efforts to establish an airborne memorial near Foy, Belgium.

Suerth appeared as himself in the HBO documentary We Stand Alone Together: The Men of Easy Company, which included interviews with surviving members of the unit. He was also portrayed by Luke Roberts in the 2001 HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, appearing in the fifth episode, “Crossroads.”

Suerth died on October 14, 2017, in Minnesota, at the age of 92. He was buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.