Who is Herman Watzing from Kon-Tiki: Across the Pacific by Raft and what is their importance?

Herman learns about Thor's idea to sail a raft across the Pacific while taking a meal with him at the Norwegian Sailor's Home in New York City. Herman becomes Thor's first crewmember and ally in the adventure, accompanying him to South America, over the Andes Mountains and into the Ecuadorian jungle in search of the right balsa logs for the raft.