On November 4, 1979, 52 Americans were taken hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. Among them was a young Marine named Kevin Hermening, just 20 years old and the youngest of those held. For 444 days, Kevin endured captivity in a volatile region of the world. But rather than being defined by the hardship, he emerged from it with a lifelong commitment to service, resilience, and patriotism.
Kevin’s story is inextricably linked to the origins of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. In April 1980, the United States launched Operation Eagle Claw—the daring attempt to rescue the hostages in Iran. Though the mission was ultimately unsuccessful, it laid the groundwork for forming U.S. Special Operations Command. More importantly for us, it was in the aftermath of this mission that SOWF was born, established to support the children of the eight servicemen who lost their lives during the rescue attempt.
Following his release, Kevin continued to serve his country with distinction, completing 13 years in the Marine Corps and earning multiple honors, including the Prisoner of War Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the U.S. State Department’s Award for Valor.
Today, Kevin is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and founder of Hermening Financial Group, with offices across Wisconsin. He’s also a dedicated community volunteer, proud father, and champion of civic engagement. His belief in the power of volunteerism and his unwavering support of veterans’ causes serve as a guiding light for those who know him.
This May 1st, Kevin will share his story as the keynote speaker at our Honoring America’s Finest event in Tampa. His presentation, Liberty & Leadership, offers a deeply personal glimpse into one of the most turbulent chapters in recent American history—and the enduring values that carried him through.
Kevin Hermening’s life is a testament to the principles of courage, sacrifice, and service. We are honored to welcome him to the stage as we celebrate SOWF’s 45th anniversary and reflect on the heroes whose legacies inspire our mission every day.
