Biography
In the 1940s, the population near the small Iowa town of Panora featured a noteworthy family – James and Ila Herrick and their 9 lively children – 8 boys, and one greatly outnumbered girl. When James and Ila’s second child was born on October 28th, 1944 – he was named ‘James, Jr.’ for his father. Though it was not planned, 3 of the 8 boys had birthdays in October.
While living on the farm, the only school option in the late 1940s for a child’s education was a one room schoolhouse. Jim and his siblings would walk two miles to and from school every day. One day on the walk home, his siblings noticed that Jim was dragging behind the rest of the group. They knew this wasn’t right, as Jim was a very energetic seven-year-old boy. He was taken to the doctor with the hope that the issue would resolve itself. But instead, the family left the doctor's office with a diagnosis of polio.
The rest of the narrative will be added on November 14, 2024 after it is read at the 2024 Gold Star Hall Ceremony. The Gold Star Hall Ceremony will take place in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union on Wednesday, November 13th at 4:15 pm.