Page 18 - Desert Oracle June 2022

For the next twenty-two years of military service, Asa served in England, Korea, Germany,
Vietnam, and held other duty assignments around the world. He was the first African American
Squadron Commander at Luke Air Force Base where he trained German pilots in the F-104G
Advanced Jet Fighter Gunnery Program. He was officially awarded honorary Command Pilot
wings in the Luftwaffe for his outstanding service.

During his exemplary career, Asa flew a wide range of aircrafts. These included the PT-17; AT-6;
01E&E; F-51D; T-33; F-86A; F-84F; and the F-100C, D, F, & G. He flew 350 combat missions
in Vietnam, and his decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Air
Medals with 13 Oak Leaf Clusters. Asa retired in 1970 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Asa joined Western-Electric (Manufacturing Branch of AT&T) after military retirement from the
Air Force. He served in various management positions including Personnel, Quality Assurance,
Manufacturing Operations, Benefits Administration, and other departments. He retired from
AT&T in December 1989.

After both military and private sector retirements, Asa put his BA in Business Administration /
Business Management Degree from Ottawa University to use. He pursued civic service in several
areas. They included Phoenix Union High School Vocational Advisory Board; Opportunities
Industrialization Center (OIC); Prevocational Advisory Board; Board of Directors, Phoenix
Business Development Center; Chairman of the General Merchandise Concessions Committee
(Module), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport; Chairman, City of Phoenix Municipal
Aeronautics Board; and City of Phoenix Community Development Block Grant Committee.

Asa is survived two Sons: Asa D. Herring III (Merle) Winston-Salem, NC; Mark Alan Herring, Phoenix,
AZ; Grandchildren: Jacent Chestnut, Atlanta, GA; Rachel Shrank, Lafayette, IN; Martina Blasingame
(Kent); Jenna Herring; Blue Springs, MO; Christopher Herring, Charlotte, NC; Tracy Thomas (Perry),
Winston-Salem, NC; Michael Herring, Phoenix, AZ; and 15 great-grandchildren.