"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." II Timothy 4-7
Lawrence Earl Garrison was born March 18, 1920 in Wilburton, Oklahoma to Isaac Samuel and Anna Boling Garrison. He was part of a large family with two half brothers, seven brothers, one sister and several step-siblings. His nickname was "Brownie," due to his extremely dark brown hair. (Most of his siblings had red hair.) In 1934, the family moved to Ryan, Oklahoma.
Lawrence joined the Marine Corp in 1940 or 1941 while in Civilian Conservation Corps camp in Colorado. He was in boot camp in San Diego, California.
Lawrence was killed at Tarawa. The family was told that he did not make it to shore. His body was never found. He received the Purple Heart posthumously.
Sources: The Family of Isaac Garrison 1732-1836 (The Isaac Garrison Family Association,ed.); family history as given by Andrew Garrison and Calvin Garrison.
Cheryl Garrison Cronin
"My uncle, PFC Lawrence Earl Garrison, fought and gave his life at the battle of Tarawa."
Thanks Cheryl!
Email - Jon@tarawaontheweb.org
copyright 2003 Wheaton, Illinois
Created 15 March 2003
Return to Index