Hershel Lennon Rose
Berlin
Hershel Lennon Rose, US Army Retired, age 90, passed away at home on Sept. 8, 2022.
He was born on Nov. 4, 1931, in New Bern, North Carolina, the son of the late Furney B. Rose and Nancy Christine (Austin) Rose.
Hershel enlisted in the US Army on May 23, 1950, and did basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
After basic training he was assigned to the 1st Calvary Division (“First Team”) 8th Calvary Regiment E Company. They entered Korea on July 18, 1950, under the flag of the United Nations.
He was wounded on June 19, 1951 and was awarded the Purple Heart.
After a short stint state-side he returned to fight once again in the Korean War until the Armistice signed July 27, 1953.
He received, among other medals, the Korean Service Medal for participation in all seven campaigns from July 18, 1950 ending with the Third Korean Winter and Korean summer fall, 1953 campaign.
After service during the Korean Conflict, he served in numerous postings abroad and state-side.
He heroically served four tours during the Vietnam War as an advisor.
He served as an advisor with the Popular Forces, June 1965 to June 1966, in Nghia Hanh and received the Vietnamese Army Medal of Valor for saving the life of a Popular Forces soldier.
He next served as an advisor with the 3rd Platoon of Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. While on patrol on Nov. 9, 1966, he observed an enemy soldier about to shoot a member of his squad in the back. His quick action saved the life of his fellow soldier and he was seriously wounded.
For this act of heroism, he received the Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device.
His third tour he lived with and was advisor to the Mountain Yard people in An Ka. He was wounded during this tour and recovered at Camp Zoma Japan.
He returned to An Ka in 1968 before the TET Offensive.
His fourth tour he served from July 1968 to July 1969 in An Tuc District, Binh Dinh Province where he received The Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service.
He was seriously wounded for the third time in 1970 and medevacked to Womack Army Medical Center.
He retired from active duty on Sept. 1, 1971.
During his service in the Vietnam War, he was awarded the Gallantry Cross May 21, 1965, The Bronze Star Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) May 13, 1966 and The Bronze Star Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) on Febr. 6, 1971.
He received two certificates (written in Vietnamese) with accompanying medals.
Hershel married Carol Parker on May 29, 1975, and with son, Chris, built their first home on Bonita Drive in West Ocean City.
He began his employment with the Town of Ocean City as a water department supervisor and he retired after 20 years of service.
In 1983 the family moved to South Point, with their property being a part of “Genezer” and enjoyed 16 years living on the Sinepuxent Bay.
They moved to their new home in Berlin in 2001 and he truly loved all the wonderful neighbors and children of the neighborhood.
He was a man of faith and with a steadfast and abiding love for his country. The way he lived his life was defined by being a child during the great depression and his military career.
Rose truly was a wonderful husband, father, uncle, brother and friend. He was so proud of his son, Chris and loved him with all his heart.
He celebrated all the accomplishments of his nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
In later years, Facetime with the great nieces and nephews always ended with a kiss to the phone screen. He looked forward to his grand-dog Lincoln’s annual Easter stay.
He took great pride and enjoyment in having an impeccable yard. He would work outside all day among his flower beds and fruit trees.
Mr. Hershel, as he was known to youngsters, was a great favorite of all the neighborhood children. Through the years, a variety of recliners have held him with a child on his lap.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carol Parker Rose; son and daughter-in-law, Christopher J. Shepherd and Melanie (Keane) Shepherd, of Ocean View, Delaware; brother, John L. Rose of New Bern, North Carolina; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Michael G. and Debbie H. Parker of Berlin, Maryland; nieces, Dana Rose Zarnich and husband, Nick, and their sons, Nicholas (Jacquelin), Ryan (Kim) and Daryl (Rachel) of Rochester, Pennsylvania, Ashley Parker Gibbs and her husband, Jeff, and daughters, Addison and Ava, of Berlin, Maryland; nephews, John Eury of Concord, North Carolina, Mickey Eury and wife, Rose, of New Bern, North Carolina, Sean Parker and wife, Keemia, and son, Kameron of Olney, Maryland; and one great-great niece, Madison Zarnich and three great-great nephews, Bentley, Theo and Oscar Zarnich of Pennsylvania; and his cousin, Denise Reardon and her husband, John, of Cape May Court House, New Jersey.
He is also survived by his dear friend, Carlton Showell of Laurel, Delaware.
He was preceded in death by his parents and seven of his siblings, Furney Rose, Jr., Cecilia Rose Aldridge, Durwood Gray Rose, Darrell V. Rose, Richard Rose, Patrice Rose and Agatha Rose Eury.
The family will be forever grateful for the care, kindness and compassion of Dr. Diane Ceruzzi and the entire Atlantic General Hospital Wound Center Team, Dr. Tammy Donaway, Dr. Christopher Galuardi, Dr. Greg Stamnas, Hershel’s Amedisys Team – Leslie (his Sunshine), Emily, Penny, Gary, Erin, Jill and Taylor, the nurses and techs at Atlantic General Hospital who so lovingly cared for him during his last stay, and his “Guardian Angel” Betty who cared for him at home.
There are not enough words of thanks to give the team from Coastal Hospice for their guidance to the family caring for him, and compassion during his last week.
Lastly, the family wishes to thank Reverend Mark Piedmonte for his visits, prayers and hugs through this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to: Worcester County Veterans Memorial of Ocean Pines Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 1576, Ocean Pines, Maryland, 21811; Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Maryland, 21802; Buckingham Presbyterian Church Deacons Fund, 20 South Main Street, Berlin, Maryland 21811.
A Celebration of Life Service with Military Honors will be held Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, at 2 p.m., at Buckingham Presbyterian Church, 20 South Main Street, Berlin, Maryland 21811, with Reverend Mark Piedmonte officiating. The family will receive friends and neighbors at the church from 1-2 p.m.
Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.