Herman L. Matthews left Waxhaw in 1943 to join the US Navy. He was a Gunner's Mate Third Class and was involved with the U S S Big Horn Navy Spy Ship (Atlantic Ocean Submarine Hunter) and U S S Syrma (AK 134) Supply Ship for the South Pacific. While in the military Matthews was awarded the American Area Camp Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Camp Medal and the Victory Medal.
Matthews is married to Dorothy Reid and they have two children, Herman Matthews, Jr and D. Lane Matthews. Herman and Dorothy have been married for 52 years.
Since World War II, Matthews worked as a Heating and Air Conditioning Contractor for 45 years and was self-employed with Herman Matthews Heating and Air Conditioning Company. He retired in 1991.
Matthews says, "It has been a great life. I would not change anything."