Edwin K. Herman was born on November 16, 1917, and graduated from high school in Garden City, Kansas. He served from November 9, 1942, to November 22, 1945, earning numerous awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Good Conduct Medal. His service also earned him the American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, and the WWII Victory Medal.

After the war, Herman worked as an auto salesman. He married three times: first to Betty Sartain, then to Maxine in December 1971, and later to Claire. He had one son and two grandchildren. Herman was passionate about reading National Geographic and visiting historical sites.