Today in Wheeling History: July 20--Paul Taylor Herman, former Wheeling Blues basketball standout and WWII veteran, died in Wheeling (1972).
Paul Taylor Herman was born on July 5, 1921, in Massillon, Ohio, to Leo and Esther Herman. He attended Washington High School from 1936 to 1939, where he excelled in basketball. He continued his athletic career at the University of Tennessee from 1940 to 1943, playing three seasons as a guard and earning recognition for his skill and leadership on the court.
During World War II, Herman served in the United States Army, assigned to the 21st Engineer Aviation Regiment. His unit was deployed to North Africa and Italy, where they constructed and maintained airfields under combat conditions. He participated in two major campaigns and was awarded two Battle Stars. While overseas, he also played for the regiment’s basketball team, the 21st Aviation Engineering Bulldozers, during the 1944–45 season. He was honorably discharged on November 3, 1945.
Herman resumed his basketball career with the Youngstown Bears (NBL, 1946–47), then played for the Flint/Midland Dow A.C.’s (1947–48). He joined Wheeling’s professional teams: the Wheeling Puritans (AABL, 1947–48), Wheeling Blues (AABL, 1948–49), Wheeling (AAPBL, 1949–51), and Wheeling’s independent team (1951–52). His scoring peaked at 13.0 points per game in the 1950–51 season, and he became a local favorite.
After retiring from basketball, Herman worked for Trimble and Lutz Plumbing and Industrial Supply Company in Wheeling. At the time of his death, he was living in Wheeling’s Mozart neighborhood, a quiet hillside community overlooking the city. He was married to Helen Rickus Herman. He died on July 20, 1972, at age 51, and is buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Wheeling. His legacy lives on as a symbol of athletic excellence, wartime service, and community pride.
To learn more: Paul Herman – Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/45akbj7b), Paul Herman – Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/yj8v8dx6), Paul Herman – Pro Basketball Encyclopedia (https://tinyurl.com/5ftp334t), Wheeling News Register (https://tinyurl.com/mwwkur3e), Peach Basket Society (https://tinyurl.com/4hk65wtc)
Photo credits: Pro Basketball Encyclopedia, Wheeling News-Register
Paul Taylor Herman was born on July 5, 1921, in Massillon, Ohio, to Leo and Esther Herman. He attended Washington High School from 1936 to 1939, where he excelled in basketball. He continued his athletic career at the University of Tennessee from 1940 to 1943, playing three seasons as a guard and earning recognition for his skill and leadership on the court.
During World War II, Herman served in the United States Army, assigned to the 21st Engineer Aviation Regiment. His unit was deployed to North Africa and Italy, where they constructed and maintained airfields under combat conditions. He participated in two major campaigns and was awarded two Battle Stars. While overseas, he also played for the regiment’s basketball team, the 21st Aviation Engineering Bulldozers, during the 1944–45 season. He was honorably discharged on November 3, 1945.
Herman resumed his basketball career with the Youngstown Bears (NBL, 1946–47), then played for the Flint/Midland Dow A.C.’s (1947–48). He joined Wheeling’s professional teams: the Wheeling Puritans (AABL, 1947–48), Wheeling Blues (AABL, 1948–49), Wheeling (AAPBL, 1949–51), and Wheeling’s independent team (1951–52). His scoring peaked at 13.0 points per game in the 1950–51 season, and he became a local favorite.
After retiring from basketball, Herman worked for Trimble and Lutz Plumbing and Industrial Supply Company in Wheeling. At the time of his death, he was living in Wheeling’s Mozart neighborhood, a quiet hillside community overlooking the city. He was married to Helen Rickus Herman. He died on July 20, 1972, at age 51, and is buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Wheeling. His legacy lives on as a symbol of athletic excellence, wartime service, and community pride.
To learn more: Paul Herman – Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/45akbj7b), Paul Herman – Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/yj8v8dx6), Paul Herman – Pro Basketball Encyclopedia (https://tinyurl.com/5ftp334t), Wheeling News Register (https://tinyurl.com/mwwkur3e), Peach Basket Society (https://tinyurl.com/4hk65wtc)
Photo credits: Pro Basketball Encyclopedia, Wheeling News-Register
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