Philip W. Herb was born on April 25, 1925 in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. Phillip attended 3 years of high school and then left to find employment.
Phillip entered the Army on June 21, 1942. At the time of his enlistment, the family lived in West Chester, Pennsylvania. After training, Phillip was sent overseas to the European Theater of Operations in April, 1943. He was assigned to the 376th Field Artillery Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division.