Obituaries

Gen. Herres was a pioneer in the space program and went on to become chief executive for seven years of USAA, a San Antonio-based insurance company, beginning in 1993.

He was credited with transforming USAA, which caters to military personnel, by expanding eligibility to include enlisted service members. The company now has about 6 million members.

Gen. Herres was a Denver native and a 1954 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. He received master's degree in electrical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and another in public administration from George Washington University.

After graduating from the Naval Academy, he transferred to the Air Force, a move that allowed him to fly right away, the San Antonio Express-News reported. He became an astronaut in the Manned Orbiting Laboratory program but never went into space. He was first commander of the unified Space Command from 1985 to '87.

Among his other military assignments, Gen. Herres was director of Strategic Air Command's 8th Air Force at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and the North American Aerospace Defense Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

His final active-duty assignment, in 1990, was as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In that role, he was the second-highest ranking military officer.

His military decorations included the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, two awards of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Gen. Herres was active in the San Antonio community. He served as chairman of the United Way of Bexar County and helped raise millions of dollars for children's health care.

-- From News Services

Mary M. 'Peggy' HallQuilters Group Member

Mary M. "Peggy" Hall, 87, a longtime Chevy Chase resident and member of the Wednesday Quilters group, died July 18 at Asbury Methodist Village's Wilson Health Care Center in Gaithersburg. She had complications from a fall last month.

Mary Mowry was born in Mitchell, S.D., and raised in El Reno, Okla. She attended what is now Park University in Missouri. She settled in the Washington area in 1953.

She played bridge in competitive leagues and enjoyed entertaining family and friends.

Her husband, R. Glenn Hall, whom she married in 1943, died in 2004. A daughter, Carol Hall, died in 1997.

Survivors include two sons, Robert G. Hall of Silver Spring and Thomas M. Hall of Carlisle, Pa.; and two grandsons.

-- Adam Bernstein