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Blake Justin Herman, born April 11 1997, is the youngest American militant to achieve the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol. Herman is the second born son of Diane and Garry Herman, both serve in the United States Air Force, and is the sibling of Vincent Schembri, Sharolyn Thomas, Ashley Herman, and Justin Herman(His twin borther) Herman got his first taste of attention in 1999 when he was cast as baby Joseph in ABC's "A Christmas Carol."

Early Life After Herman's birth in 1997 his father, Garry Herman, was deployed in Afghanistan to aid in Operation:Enduring Freedom. During this time Herman lived with his mother in Ramstein AFB, Germany. In 2003 Herman and his family where moved to Scott AFB, Illinois. Herman was born to a very wealthy family and enjoyed many luxuries that most children never dreamed of. After the death of Herman's sister Ashley, He slipped into a state of isolation. He soon recovered after the adoption of Sharolyn Thomas.

Military Career At age 12, Herman enlisted in the United States Air Force Auxillary(Civil Air Patrol) as an Airman Basic. Two days after Herman's completion of basic training he was deployed to Africa to aid in a search and rescue mission. It was here that he proved his worth as a comabtant. The aircraft he was on was downed due to faulty equipment. All of his crew where killed or wounded. Being a young, unranked, member he pulled all of his unit into safety and performed CPR and First-Aid necessary to maintain his crews survial. After this incident he was promoted to Master Sergeant and awarded the Gold Ribbon of Valor, the highest achievable ribbon for a cadet. During his first year Herman served as a Communications Official. Here he was promoted to Chief Master Sergeant. After the terrorist attack on Baghdad and the destruction of CAP's Allied Headquarters Europe, he was immediately promoted to Major and asked to seize command of the Air Force Auxillary operations in Europe by President George W. Bush. After his successful campaign in Eastern Europe and repel of Taliban troops from NATO command he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on March, 5 2011 by President Barrack H. Obama.

Awards and Citations Gold Valor Ribbon

Medal of Valor

Air Force Cross

Airmans Medal of Integrity

Physical Fitness ribbon

Ira Eaker Ribbon

Presidential Defense Citation

Homeland Security ribbon

Physical Training Ribbon

Earheart Ribbon

Medal of Commendation

Presidential Unit Citation

Heart of Bravery USAF Civilian Awards Citizen of the Year, Oberamugau, Germnay

Officer of the year

References and books www.gocivilairpatrol.gov/honorablemembers

www.departmentofdefence.com/awardwinners

Herman:A Tradition of Excellence by. Colonel Arthur McTitan

Blake J. by: Robert Steiner

Heart of Iron by. Maj.Gen Anne Carton

Defense of Europe: The Herman Way by. Kilian Dames

The Iron Colonel by. General Douglas Grant