Herman A. Lubbe was born to Carl and Leana Lubbe in Johanesburg, South Africa on 21 February, 1985. His family moved to Upstate New York in 1997 and later to Charleston, West Virginia where his parents currently reside. He enlisted into the Marine Corp’s delayed entry program October 2003, and attended Recruit Training in June 2004 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC.

Following completion of Recruit Training and Marine Combat Training, Private First Class Lubbe obtained the MOS of 1371 at Court House Bay, CLNC. Upon completion of his training Private First Class Lubbe was assigned to A Company 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division. During this time he also attended school at West Virginia University and pursued a Degree in Finance.

Corporal Lubbe was activated in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007 and was stationed at Haditha Dam, Al Anbar Province, in support of RCT 2. His Platoon conducted numerous convoy operations, cache sweeps, raids and construction projects. Sergeant Lubbe was again activated in 2009 to support 3rd Battalion 9th Marines. Sergeant Lubbe served as his Lima Company’s Engineer squad leader and Headquarters Platoon Sergeant.

Upon returning to A Company, Sergeant Lubbe became 1st platoon Sergeant and attended Urban Breachers Course, Journeyman’s School, Martial Arts Instructor Couse and Sergeants Course. He also planned the years Training schedule and arranged for the Company’s Demo shoot, Machine gun and SMAW Course and an Urban Breachers Package.

Sergeant Lubbe volunteered to deploy with Detachment 4-4, 4th CAG in November 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan Sgt. Lubbe was attached to 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion and 1st Battalion 5th Marines. Sergeant Lubbe was wounded twice and eventually sent to Bethesda, MD on June 17th after sustaining numerous injuries from an IED blast. Since then Sgt. Lubbe has been recuperating from his wounds at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

His personal decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and (2) Purple Hearts.

Duty Assignment

  • Combat Engineer Team Leader Unit A Company, 4th CEB
  • Combat Engineer Squad LeaderUnit A Company, 4th CEB
  • Platoon Sergeant Unit A Company, 4th CEB
  • CA Team Member Unit Det 4-4, 4th CAG
  • Wounded Warrior Unit WWBN-E Bethesda

Military Schools:

  • Recruit Training
  • Basic Combat Engineer
  • Marine Combat Training
  • Martial Arts Instructor Course
  • Urban Breachers Course
  • Sergeants Course
  • Combat Engineer Journeyman’s Course

Personal Awards:

  • Navy Commendation Medal
  • Navy Achievement Medal
  • Combat Action Ribbon
  • Purple Heart with one gold star