By John Montesano
Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club’s (FVVBC) Veteran of the Month for October represents the 50th Veteran of the Month. Because Herschel Luckinbill, president of the FVVBC, started the program, we thought it appropriate to name him the October Veteran of the Month.
Submitted photo
John Montesano photo
He was born August 8, 1945 in Oklahoma City, Okla.. After five years he lived in Ardmore, Okla. and following high school graduation in 1963, he joined the U.S. Navy February 24, 1964. Boot camp was at Great Lakes Naval Station outside of North Chicago. He trained as a machinist mate, whose job was to operate, maintain, and repair the ship propulsion machinery. In Herschel’s case that meant steam turbine engines. He was assigned to the USS O’Brien DD725. It was the fourth ship since 1900 to carry that name. November 22, 1965, she saw her first action in the Vietnam War. Called to the aid of a surrounded outpost at Thach Ten, Quang Ngai Province, the ship’s fire helped turn back a North Vietnamese regiment. In early 1966, the O’Brien supported carrier operations, conducted search and rescue missions in the Gulf of Tonkin, and provided gunfire support for the amphibious landing near Cape Batangan, Operation “Double Eagle.”
O’Brien returned to her homeport, Long Beach, Calif., March 1966, for the next eight months. In late 1966, she became the flagship for Operation Sea Dragon, near North Vietnam. Ordered to interdict enemy coastal traffic, she sank or damaged more than 20 vessels carrying enemy war supplies to the Viet Cong. December 23, 1966, after taking shrapnel for 17 out of 18 days from coastal batteries, the ship received three direct hits. Herschel was just ahead of the direct hits by only 20 seconds when the crew was leaving their racks for general quarters. Two of Herschel’s shipmates, Anthony Perry and Tom Tiglas, were killed and several others were wounded.
In January 1967, after repairs, the O’Brien returned to the Gulf of Tonkin and provided support for air strikes while guarding five carriers. In March, she was instrumental in significantly slowing coastal supply traffic. She was taken under fire by shore batteries seven times during this period. The ship returned to her homeport of Long Beach, Calif. in May 1967. Herschel remained there until his honorable discharge as 2nd Class Machinist Mate December 15, 1967. For his service, he received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
While still serving on the O’Brien, Herschel married Eva Davenport, June 17, 1967. They met while Herschel was at Great Lakes in 1964. They lived in California until Herschel’s discharge, when they returned to Chicago and northwest suburbs. In 1978, they moved to the Montgomery/Oswego area. They raised three children with six grandchildren and one great grandchild. Herschel worked for Pettibone Mulliken and built forklifts.
In 1968, Herschel joined the VFW and began his life-long service to the veteran community. He has been a: Commander, president, chairperson, manager for 18 organizations, clubs, and projects; guardian on 25 flights for Honor Flight Chicago; assistant on VetsRoll; president of the USS O’Brien reunion for 14 consecutive years; and president of the FVVBC.
He is responsible for bringing the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall to Aurora in 2013 and Oswego in 2017. A significant accomplishment for Herschel is the FVVBC. Since Herschel took over the leadership of the Breakfast Club in 2010, it has grown from 25 to 80 veterans and friends! Except for specific fundraisers, most money comes in from the 50/50 raffle. The FVVBC has been treated to trips to: The Holocaust museum; Cantigny/Big Red 1 museum; Rock Island Arsenal; Chicago River boat tour, to name a few. Herschel’s attitude and drive to serve the veteran community is contagious. If you are around him, you are going to get involved. I am grateful for the opportunities that he has given me. The Veteran of the Month program is an example and reaching 50 is the proof.