John Herdic graduated from high school in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.  He entered Dickinson with the class of 1944 but withdrew to enlist in July 1942. Before leaving he became of member of Chi Phi fraternity.  Herdic trained in Texas as a bombardier, earning his wings and commission in June 1943.  He then trained as a navigator in New Mexico before being assigned to overseas duty in early 1944. 

Herdic joined General Claire Chenault's command in the Burma-China theater, flying  a B-25 as a bombardier and navigator.  On his penultimate mission before completing the fifty which would see him serve out his combat tour, Herdic's aircraft was lost in action on January 19, 1945.