On the morning of Saturday, September 1, 2018, retired United States Marine Corps (USMC) Gunnery Sergeant Herbert (Herb) R. Hunton passed away surrounded by family at St. Mary's Essentia in Duluth, MN at the age of 89 years and eight months.

Herb is survived by his wife; Rita M. (Spychalla) Cheney-Hunton, step-children: Diane (Nurmi) Cheney, Chris (Carol) Cheney, Lori (Bob) Marana, Mark (Jean) Cheney and Lloyd (Terri) Cheney; sister Grace (Hunton) Teats of Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, brother Andrew Jackson (Jack) Hunton, of Sebastian, Florida; numerous nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife MaryJo (Shirley) his son Rick, and step-sons Michael Cheney and Patrick Cheney.

Herb was born on January 26, 1929 in Closter, New Jersey to Andrew J. Hunton and Amelia (Schmidt) Hunton. Herb enlisted in the USMC in 1946 at the age of 17. He arrived in Japan at the end of WWII during its occupation. He was stationed at other various locations including Panama prior to the Korean War.

In the autumn of 1950, he arrived inside the Pusan Perimeter and on September 15, 1950, participated in the daring amphibious assault on Incheon Harbor. Herb and his brother Marines proceeded in the grueling campaign northwards. In their pursuit of the North Koreans, the US forces advanced to the far northern parts of the Korean peninsula, near the border with China and became overextended. On November 27, 1950, the Chinese entered the war with a massive offensive operation. The American fighting forces dug in on both sides of the Chosin River Reservoir. The US forces consisted of approximately 25,000 men, while the Chinese committed more than 150,000 troops. Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong directed his generals to encircle and bring about the complete annihilation of the Americans at all costs.

The Battle of the Chosin Reservoir is among the most savage and brutal engagements in American military history. To make conditions worse, an intense cold blew in from Siberia and fighting men on all sides experienced extreme subzero temperatures of -40F and lower. (Anyone that knew Herb knew he detested the cold more than any enemy.) Despite Chinese soldiers often fighting to the last man, the American forces were able to achieve one of the most difficult military maneuvers, the fighting withdrawal. While American causalities were high, the Chinese experienced devastating casualty rates.   Herb said, while the Americans had been unprepared for the severe cold, the Chinese suffered even worse as they had less equipment and clothing to withstand the low temperatures. Herb's empathy for others, even a relentless and determined enemy, was an inspiration to all who knew him. On December 7, 1950, after more than ten days of intense and constant combat, already suffering from severe frostbite, Herb was wounded in the leg. He was among the last wounded men to be evacuated before the US forces retreated south of Hagaru-ri.

After surviving the bitter fighting in the Korean War, Herb went on to serve in the Philippines and participated in several skirmishes with local Communist insurgent groups. When Herb returned to the United States, he went on to serve as a USMC recruiter. He also would later be involved in the founding years of the Marine Reconnaissance Battalions. Prior to this, each Marine battalion had its own reconnaissance company. Combat lessons learned from Korea convinced the USMC they needed larger recon elements. The 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion was formed at Camp Lejeune and remains there today. Their motto is "Swift, Silent, Deadly".  Herb would joke about this, saying back in the day the guys would laugh and say, "Ha, more like Slow, Noisy and Harmless!". In all seriousness, the motto is truly fitting.  Then, as today, the Marine Recon Battalions were, and still stand, among the best elite warriors on the battlefield.

Herb served two tours of duty in Vietnam from 1965 to 1968. Herb was again wounded, this time in the foot and awarded his second Purple Heart. Herb also was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation and the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V device for Valor. After serving for 22 years, through three wars, Gny Sgt Herbert R. Hunton retired from Active Duty in the Marine Corps on August 23, 1968 and served another eight years in the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve.

After his service in the Marine Corps, Herb went to work managing a janitorial service company in the Houston and Galveston, TX area. He did this for nearly 30 years and subsequently retired to Port Isabel, TX. Herb loved deep sea fishing in the Texas coastal waters. In the years following the loss of his son Ricky and wife MaryJo (Shirley), the Osprey Cruises crew and all the friends he met while pursuing his greatest passion, fishing, became another family to him. This is where Herb met Rita M. Cheney while she was vacationing with her sister Jen Bodin and brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Bonnie Spychalla. Herb and Rita began a relationship that led to marriage. Together Herb and Rita traveled extensively throughout the US, wintering in Texas and spending summer in Minnesota. He loved family gatherings and was always one to help in any way he could, especially if he could bring brisket, brats, ocean fish and shrimp. Herb was a loving husband, and best Dad and Grandpa anyone could be blessed with. Herb you are deeply missed.

"If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines."

SEMPER FIDELIS

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 11:00 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Cook, MN. Visitation will be held at 10:00am at the Church. Military Honors will be accorded by the Cook VFW Post #1757 and the Orr American Legion Honor Guard #480. Interment will be in the Cook Community Cemetery. To leave an online condolence please visit www.mlakerfuneralhome.com