Arthur Herrmann, who I always knew at "Artie", was my classmate at BHS, my gymnastics teammate there, and my classmate at the Unites States Military Academy, West Point. After graduation from BHS, he attended Northeastern for a year while in the process of earning an appointment to West Point. While at Northeastern he was a member of the ROTC program, and attended "Jump School" to earn his Army Parachutist Wings.
Appointed to West Point by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, he arrived there in July 1970 with the in-coming class of 1974. While a Cadet, he was on the USMA Sport Parachute Team (Sky Diving). In his West Point Memorial article for the Alumni magazine, a classmate who knew him well said "Dutch" (as he was nicknamed) was "very short in stature and could be counted on to the be the agressive 'little guy"...and a really good friend to those who knew him well."
Upon graduation from West Point, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry. Already airborne qualified as well as a sport sky diver, he gravitated to the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After a few years in the 82nd, he volunteered for Special Forces. Passing the demanding qualification course he earned his Green Beret and was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group also at Fort Bragg. While there he served as a Team Leader for a Military Free Fall Detachment. After three years in 5th Group, he took an assignment with the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry, on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Korea in 1979. During the 1970's and 1980's, while not designated a combat zone, the DMZ was a "quiet war", with skirmishes between US forces and North Korean infiltrators not uncommon. The 1st of the 9th was involved in one such skirmish during his time there and had multiple casualties. He left the Army as a Captain, returned to the Boston area, and worked for Raytheon.
He passed away far too early in September of 2001. As it says in our West Point Alma Matter--"And when our work is done, our course on earth is run, May it be said, Well done; be thou at Peace". Well done to you Artie, be thou at peace.
Paul, that was so nice of you to recognize Artie. He was such a classy guy in High School. Wow after High School he made quite impressive career., Paul, thanks for sharing this with us!!! Joe Egan
Thank you Paul, for this. Artie was a great friend, great classmate and a great teammate in high school. And now thanks to you I have learned he was also a great American. I was sad to hear of his passing, way to soon. Be at peace, my friend.
Paul O'Sullivan
Arthur Herrmann, who I always knew at "Artie", was my classmate at BHS, my gymnastics teammate there, and my classmate at the Unites States Military Academy, West Point. After graduation from BHS, he attended Northeastern for a year while in the process of earning an appointment to West Point. While at Northeastern he was a member of the ROTC program, and attended "Jump School" to earn his Army Parachutist Wings.
Appointed to West Point by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, he arrived there in July 1970 with the in-coming class of 1974. While a Cadet, he was on the USMA Sport Parachute Team (Sky Diving). In his West Point Memorial article for the Alumni magazine, a classmate who knew him well said "Dutch" (as he was nicknamed) was "very short in stature and could be counted on to the be the agressive 'little guy"...and a really good friend to those who knew him well."
Upon graduation from West Point, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry. Already airborne qualified as well as a sport sky diver, he gravitated to the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After a few years in the 82nd, he volunteered for Special Forces. Passing the demanding qualification course he earned his Green Beret and was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group also at Fort Bragg. While there he served as a Team Leader for a Military Free Fall Detachment. After three years in 5th Group, he took an assignment with the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry, on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Korea in 1979. During the 1970's and 1980's, while not designated a combat zone, the DMZ was a "quiet war", with skirmishes between US forces and North Korean infiltrators not uncommon. The 1st of the 9th was involved in one such skirmish during his time there and had multiple casualties. He left the Army as a Captain, returned to the Boston area, and worked for Raytheon.
He passed away far too early in September of 2001. As it says in our West Point Alma Matter--"And when our work is done, our course on earth is run, May it be said, Well done; be thou at Peace". Well done to you Artie, be thou at peace.
Joe Egan
Paul, that was so nice of you to recognize Artie. He was such a classy guy in High School. Wow after High School he made quite impressive career., Paul, thanks for sharing this with us!!! Joe Egan
Michael Capobianchi
Thank you Paul, for this. Artie was a great friend, great classmate and a great teammate in high school. And now thanks to you I have learned he was also a great American. I was sad to hear of his passing, way to soon. Be at peace, my friend.
Karen Riley (Shea)
This is a wonderful tribute to our classmate and your friend Paul. Thank you for sharing!