Herbert Frederick Hempe was born on March 4, 1922. He was the son of Frederick C. Hempe and Emily P. Hempe. He resided in Northampton County, Pennsylvania prior to the war. Herbert served as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot on B-25D #41-30455, 11th Bomber Squadron, 341st Bomber Group, Medium, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

B-25D #41-30455 took off, with a crew of 4 & other B-25s, from Kweilin, China on a combat mission over Kiungshan, China.

The formation was attacked by multiple Japanese Zeros. B-25D #41-30455's right engine was hit which caused the engine to explode and the explosion in turn made the entire right wing come off. They crashed into the sea with the lost of all on board. Herbert was declared "Missing In Action" on this mission during the war. His name is commemorated on the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines. He also has a cenotaph located in Easton Cemetery, Easton, Northampton County, Pennsylvania.

Herbert was one of over 2000 Americans who lost their lives defending China from their Japanese invaders from 1941-1945. He is commemorated on the The Monument to the Aviation Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japan in Nanjing, China.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov