H. F. Gierke III

Herman Fredrick "Sparky" Gierke III (March 13, 1943 – August 7, 2016) was an American judge who served as the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces from 2004 to 2006. He was a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, from 1991 to 2006, and a Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court from 1983 to 1991. Gierke also served as the National Commander of The American Legion, from 1988 to 1989.

Early life and career Gierke earned his Bachelor of Arts and juris doctor degrees from the University of North Dakota. From there, he went on to serve in the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps between 1967 and 1971. This included one year as a military judge in Vietnam. During his active military service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Vietnam service and campaign medals. In 1983, Governor Allen Olson appointed him Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court.