Warren R. Herbst served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the Battle of Tinian.
His award citation reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Warren R. Herbst (MCSN: 346610), United States Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as Leader of a Machine Gun Section of Company F, Second Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Tinian, Marianas Islands, 26 July 1944. When his company was attacked from the rear during the night and his machine gun section was placed in a perilous situation, Corporal Herbst quickly turned his assault unit to the rear and engaged the Japanese at close quarters. On two different occasions, he advanced alone under heavy enemy machine-gun and rifle fire to secure ammunition and, another time, traversed one hundred yards of terrain raked by heavy fire to obtain a water can to replace the one that had been smashed. When the entire crew of one gun had been wounded or killed, he again exposed himself to hostile fire to retrieve the gun to prevent it from falling into Japanese hands and, in addition, repeatedly aided in evacuating our wounded while under heavy enemy fire. His outstanding courage, initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Herbst was born in Chicago, Illinois. His home of record was Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.[1]