Harry Brown Varner was born February 12, 1920 in Headwater, Virginia to his parents Charles and Mary Varner. He was one of six children.
Harry was married to his wife, Helen, in 1941. He enlisted in the Marines August 21, 1943.
Corp. Varner left training in San Diego, California aboard the S.S. PRESIDENT TYLER on January 23, 1944 sailing to Nouma, New Calidonia, arriving Feb. 12. He then sailed to Guadacanal arriving there on Feb. 20, 1944. He left Guadacanal aboard the USS William P. Biddle on June 4, 1944 with the 1st Provisional Brigade eventually being part of the assault force at Guam from July 21 through August 26, 1944. He returned to Guadacanal aboard the USS Seafiddler on September 9, 1944.
On March 15, 1945, he sailed from Guadalcanal aboard the USS Monrovia with the Weapons Company, 22nd Marines, 6th Division, arriving at Okinawa on April 2, 1945 (D+1) and was there until his death.
Corp. Varner was wounded in the abdomen by a shell fragment on May 8, 1945 and died a day later at the 31st Field Hospital. He was initially buried in grave #475 First Marine Cemetery No. 1 on Okinawa.
The group includes Varner's officially engraved solid brooch Type 2 Purple Heart in its short titled case and shipping box. His complete National Archives file is also part of the group.
SOLD to a collector 04-2021
