Garnett, Herbert C

Herbert C. Garnett was born on December 25, 1922, to Herbert and Mary Gordon Garnet of Philadelphia. His father was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad. Herbert was raised from infancy by his Aunt and Uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Green who resided in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He was one of five children.

Herbert attended West Chester Public Schools and later Central High School in Philadelphia. He served in the New Jersey National Guard after graduation.

Herbert entered service in the US Army in 1941. He received Officers Training School at Fort Benning Georgia, and was shipped overseas to the European Theater in July, 1944.

Second Lieutenant Herbert C. Garnett was Killed In Action on January 2, 1945 in Italy. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star, WWII Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Honorable Service Lapel Button - WWII. Florence American Cemetery.
Garnett_Grave_c1947
His aunt and uncle, who raised him as their own son, received the fateful telegram on Friday January 19th.

A memorial service was held at the Community Union M. E. (Methodist Episcopal) Church in West Chester on February 25,1945. Herbert is buried at the Florence American Cemetery in Florence, Italy. Both of his brothers served: Kennett was stationed in Virginia at the time, and William was somewhere in the Pacific.

Credits

 
Research by Don Wambold, WCMSC