Navy Petty Officer Third Class John Henry Garner
John Henry Garner
John Henry Garner was born on May 14, 1947, in Charleston Heights, South Carolina. The 3rd oldest of 11 siblings, John Henry was described as a “sensitive young man”, small in stature, who frequently settled arguments between his siblings. Being reared in a family with a love for music, John also enjoyed singing and was a talented tenor.
With aspirations of being a doctor, John served as a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy and was a member of Headquarters and Service Company 1st Battalion 1st Marine Division. On May 29, 1967, at the age of 20, while on a search and destroy mission on a river patrol boat in South Vietnam, his boat came under fire and overturned. His remains were never recovered. He was listed in a casualty status of "Killed in Action/Body Not Recovered".
Camp Pendleton, California, the home of the 1st Marine Division, John Henry's Division, opened a Regimental Aid Station in 2003 and named the facility in honor of our loved one, John Henry Garner!
Awards Received:
· Purple Heart
· Combat Action Ribbon
· National Defense Service Medal
· Vietnam Campaign Medal
· Vietnam Service Medal
· Navy Presidential Unit Citation
· Vietnam Gallantry Cross
