Herman Wiford Davenport was born on September 25, 1921 to Merle and Pearl Davenport of Townsville, Pennsylvania. Herman was the oldest of four children. His father worked as a teamster in an oil field. 

On June 28, 1941, Herman married Frances Martin.  

Herman entered the Army on December 7, 1944. He received basic training at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, and in April was sent to the Pacific Area of Operations. 

In July, 1945, he was shot by a sniper and died in Luzon, Philippines. 

Herman was returned to his home country for burial with full military honors at the Greenlawn Cemetery.