Herman was born on the 10th of December 1867, in Pepperell, Massachusetts. At the age of 21, he graduated from the US Naval Academy and served on board the USS Iowa during the Spanish-American War. Soon after that conflict, Herman was on board the USS Princeton during the Philippine-American War and by the time President Wilson deployed three Navy vessels to Veracruz, Mexico, Herman was in command of the USS Prairie, one of the three vessels. The USS Prairie was more of a transport ship with some guns on board than it was a gun ship, yet it was Herman’s actions while in command of its three-inch guns that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21-22 April 1914. Comdr. Stickney covered the landing of the 21st with the guns of the U.S.S. Prairie, and throughout the attack and occupation, rendered important assistance to our forces onshore with his 3-inch battery.

Herman was appointed to be the Inspector of the Port shortly after the fighting stopped and he received the Medal of Honor on the 4th of December 1915. He was a member of the Board of Inspection and Survey, a US Navy team that inspects new construction to declare it operational and evaluating a current vessel’s readiness. Herman’s last assignment was as the commander of the Pacific Fleet until his retirement on the 21st of December 1921, after thirty-three years of service and at the rank of Rear Admiral. Herman Osman Stickney died on the 13th of September 1936, at the age of 68. He is buried with his wife Jane in Arlington National Cemetery: Section 3, Grave 1821.