One of the few American pilots to rank as Aces in two aircraft, Herschel Green was born in Mayfield, Ky. in July 1920. When he was five, a barnstorming team made a forced landing near his home in their World War I biplane. Herky went for his first flight when the plane was repaired, and his life-long love of aviation began.

While attending Vanderbilt in 1940, Herky joined the Civilian Pilot Training program, earning his private pilot's license in '41. He enlisted in US Army Air Corps, received his wings and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1942. After two assignments in P-40 units, he was transferred to the newly activated 325th Fighter Group, where he remained for the duration of his combat career.

In North Africa in January 1943, flying P-40F Warhawk fighters, Green destroyed a Me-109 on his first mission. He scored two more Warhawk victories before the 325th transitioned to P-47 Thunderbolts in September 1943. In December, the 325th FG moved to Italy and began long-range escort of B-17s and B-24s. On an unusual low-level mission on 30 January 44, Green scored six aerial victories; the other three members of his flight downed nine more. The "Fearless Foursome" accounted for 15 of the group's 37 victories that day. Green downed four more Luftwaffe aircraft before the group was re-equipped with the P-51 Mustang. In June 1944, after three or four P-51 missions, the group escorted B-17s to Russia on the first shuttle mission. Green remained in combat for a year and a half, scoring five more kills in P51s, thus becoming an Ace in his second aircraft. When he was ordered to stand down from flying in August 1944, he had 18 confirmed victories. His decorations include the DSC, Silver Star, two DFCs, 25 Air Medals, the Purple Heart and the Croix de Guerre avec Palme.

He was granted a commission in the Regular Army after the war, and remained in the US Army Air Force and the subsequent US Air Force until he retired in 1964. He accepted a position with Hughes Aircraft Company and remained with Hughes until his second retirement in 1982. He and his wife Jeanne live in Rancho Palos Verde near Los Angeles, Calif.