Lieutenant Barnes, one of the last people to see Herbert, wrote:
"You probably do not know who I am so permit me a brief introduction. I was a good friend of Herb's in Korea. We were in the same division and I served in his company as Artillery Forward Observer.

"In late November, as you know, a company was deployed in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir and received the full brunt of the initial Chinese attack. Further, our battalion was immediately surrounded and subjected to furious bombardments and assaults for three days.

"Miraculously both Herb and I were unscathed during this period although casualties in the battalion were frightful. At the time the possibility of anyone's getting out was remote indeed.

"Our commanding officer, Colonel Faith, decided after the third day, that we would break out of the encirclement and attempt to reach the Marine Base at Hagaru-ri, ten miles to our rear.

"The night before our breakout was to be attempted, the Chinese stepped up their attack and made the mistake of trying to overrun Herb's machine guns. Herb put on a one-man show and proceeded to make a human parapet of oriental bodies in front of his guns.

"On the morning of December second as Herb and I split a box of
C Rations, we discussed the seemingly hopeless situation. Later that morning we got the order to move out. Herb and I started down a ditch together. We were scarcely 100 yards out when we were swept with grenades and small arms fire. In the confusion and terror that followed, we became separated. I reached 
Hagaru-ri that night with ten men and I immediately checked the aid stations for Herb. He was not to be found. I thoroughly questioned the survivors who had been with us but none of them had seen him after we left the perimeter.

"I sincerely regret that I cannot tell you more. I cannot speculate with any degree of accuracy whether or not your husband is alive, Mrs. Marshburn. The chances are fifty-fifty. . ."

On hearing that Herbert was missing, Dave Freeman sent the following message in 1951:
"I have known Herbie for almost seven years and in those seven years I have admired him as a man and a soldier . . . I hope that one of these days in the very near future we will get word from him. You tell me where he is and I will parachute to help him out."

Charlie Byrne wrote also from Korea:
"Your letter came today, Portia, telling me of the report of Herby's being missing in action. . . The report means only one thing to me-that Herby is a prisoner. This is my firm belief, and I hope that he will soon be among those the enemy releases from time to time."

By expressing her thoughts on their happy life together, Herbert's Edna captures some of the devotion and sacrifice of an Army wife:
"I was a lucky young lady in that I grew up and married the 'boy across the street. This meant we shared our happy high school days together and the eventful four years from Plebe Christmas to June Week. When we were married soon after graduation our devotion to one another was founded on a friendship and deep love that had grown as we ourselves went from our teens to our twenties.

After a short assignment at Fort Riley we had our first real home at Fort Benning. Together with classmates and their brides, we had a wonderful six months. Here the class babies began to arrive; little Sambo Coursen was the first baby at our Infantry post. We made new friends and former 'drags' were thrilled by the role of being helpmates to new officer husbands. The feeling of friendliness and happiness that was abundant at Fort Benning can never be forgotten.

"Many of us carry sorrow in our hearts from the death of loved ones but we also shall always share a joyous way of life through the spirit of friendship and unity that we once knew. This spirit was personified in Herbert Marshburn, and he will always remain in the hearts and souls of those who knew him. To have shared his growing-up years and then to have been his devoted wife leaves me with a wealth of happy memories.

"Because of having my life touched by his spirit, the urge is ever present to develop the ideals by which he lived."

The genuine interest that Herb always showed in others was perhaps most noticeable in the way he welcomed them into his home. In this regard, Nancy Fellers wrote:
"As I was sorrowfully reading the tragic news about your son, a New Year's Eve Party came to my mind. I remember what a warm and beautiful home you had for him and the cordiality with which you greeted his friends. And, because of the love you had, your grief will indeed be great.

"His name seemed like a magic word of good will among his friends. Being with him was a most happy experience." 

Herbert's four years at West Point were characterized by the type of activity mentioned in letters from Manuel Asensio and Dan Guyton:
"Herb is well remembered by his friends and classmates for the enthusiasm that guided the Spanish Club in his years as member and president. Having been stationed in Mexico on attache duty, the Marshburns had collected many products of native culture from the Latin-American countries, which Herb used to create vivid displays. The Marshburns' home in D.C. served as headquarters for many of the club's trips; the Spanish dances and club gatherings there were highlights of the itineraries arranged by Herb, which included visits to embassies and the Pan-American Union. With the phenomenal increase in club membership brought about by Herb's efforts, he and his family became the lasting friends of many."

"Those of us close to Herbert during his cadet days remember the time he was locked in the library where, as usual, he was deeply engrossed reading about the problems of the world, both past and present. Herb's avid reading habits more or less characterized him, for he was always 'up' on what was going on in this world of ours, although maybe a little 'down' on tomorrow's calculus problems. And thus prepared, he set forth as a young Infantry officer fully capable of both leading his men in battle and telling them 'why' they were fighting in Korea. His passing away on the field of battle, therefore, constitutes not only the personal loss of a son, a husband, and a beloved friend, but even a greater loss to our nation, which, in this time in its history, needs the foresight and leadership of such young men."

Of course, the most important memory for us and the one that will inspire us for the remainder of our lives was Herbert's deeply generous spirit. The following letters serve to crystalize this aspect of his character:
"On the bleak battlefields of Korea where the Herbert whom we knew and loved gave his life for his fellow comrades-in-arms he exemplified the way he had always lived-for others.

"Unselfishness and generosity were the cornerstones in Herbert's philosophy of life. These two virtues embody the fundamentals of active Christian living. It is not difficult for one to profess love of fellow men, but few have the strength of character to live that conviction. This Herbert did-not just that winter night in Korea, but throughout the whole time I knew him as a friend and fellow soldier.

"Along with these attributes, Herbert was a gracious man, one who had within himself the peace of heart and human understanding that we in this troubled world are constantly seeking."
      -Ralph Dougherty.

"In the summer of 1945 I found, along with the meaning of 'Beast Barracks', plebes, and 'firsties', a friendship which I shall remember and cherish the remainder of my life. Herbert was that rare individual who saw only good in everyone and who never harbored the suspicion that anyone could intentionally do wrong.

"Herb was a living personification of altruism, and though he was often heavily burdened by the slings and arrows of the 'Tacs' and 'P's', Herbert could always lighten the load of his unfortunate classmates with a cheerful quip or smile.

"We, his classmates, loved Herbert, enjoyed his fellowship, and by laughing with him absorbed a little of the sunshine and good spirit he radiated. Life in those past cadet days was more than evading 'Tacs', because we had a lesson of duty, honor, country to learn. Herbert learned this lesson well and set a standard for us all when he rallied a group of stragglers, breathed his life into them, and forged the resistance which allowed the bulk of his unit to escape the Chinese trap."
      -Martin D. Howell.

"Herby Marshburn possessed West Point's spirit with a disarming ease and grace, yet he possessed it as fully as any man who ever graduated. The poise with which Herby bore the West Pointer's stamp clearly showed how deeply he understood his Alma Mater. But this quality of Herbert's was not nonchalance nor charm alone. It was a product of his distinct and distinguished individuality, a serenity that revealed authority. This was the timbre of Herby's leadership.

"Only those who were with him in December 1950 in the cold and combat of Chosin Reservoir can know how desperately his leadership was needed and how price-less it was."
    --Charlie Byrne.

"On December 2, 1950, Herby Marshburn was killed leading his men in a delaying action in the vicinity of Chosin Reservoir, Korea. Just two days before, he had received the Silver Star for gallantry in action. By his unselfish and heroic conduct Herby enabled many of his comrades to retreat successfully from the Chinese onslaught when he himself might have escaped.

"The unselfishness and interest in the welfare of others which made Herby a fine Infantry leader and a hero in battle are the same traits that made him a wonderful friend. I have never known a more truly generous person. It is not surprising that, having contributed so much to the happiness of others, Herby was, him- self, a very happy person, and it is a source of satisfaction to those who loved him to know that his short life was a full and happy one. His native kindness and optimistic outlook drew to him many loyal friends with whom he shared his life.

"Graduation from West Point in '49 was for Herb the realization of a boyhood ambition to follow in his father's footsteps. The courage which he was to show so soon after graduation is a great credit to his family, his Alma Mater, and his country.

"It seems strange to speak of our friendship with Herby as something that is in the past. He imparted such a large portion of his happy and generous spirit to each of us who was fortunate enough to know him that he will remain with us throughout our lives, not as a memory, but as an ever-present and inspiring friend." 
      -Richie Cooper '48.
 
 
 
 

Personal Eulogy