CPT (Ret) Herman “Jack” DeJong

CPT (Ret) Herman DeJong, 85, of Columbus, GA, died Saturday January 21, 2023 at Brookside Glen Assisted Living in Columbus, GA. A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM Monday, January 30, 2023 at Vance Brooks Funeral Home, 4048 Macon Road, Columbus, GA, with Reverend Bud Rupel officiating. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, at a later date.

Herman, who later in life also went by the name “Jack”, was born January 9, 1938 in Rock Valley, Iowa to the late Manus DeJong and Etta (Anema) DeJong. Herman and his older brother Charlie both served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. Herman retired from active duty in 1968 at the rank of Captain and as a distinguished pilot. He was highly decorated and recipient of the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, three Purple Heart and many other awards, medals and badges.

Herman was a member of Evangel Temple. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Arnold DeJong, Keith DeJong, Fred DeJong, and Charlie DeJong and brother-in-law Henry Vis. Survivors include his son, Eric DeJong, sisters, Evelyn Vis, Esther DeRoon, and Marilyn Doiron, and brothers, Manuel DeJong and Corky DeJong.