Marine Corps League to honor Epperson
Published 11:53 am Wednesday, June 19, 2019
- A historic marker commemorating the sacrifice of Pfc. Harold Glenn Epperson sits at the entrance of the Winchester Cemetery, where he is buried. (Photo by Whitney Leggett)
Local veterans are planning to honor Medal of Honor recipient Harold Glenn Epperson next week on the 75th anniversary of his death.
Ed Burtner, commandant of Marine Corps League Detachment 113, said the group will have a ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 25, the day and time he died while fighting in Saipan during World War II.
“Harold Glenn was in a foxhole and a grenade was thrown in,” Burtner said. “He threw himself on it and took the full brunt of it” and saved several other lives.
Epperson, a native of Canton, Ohio, was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. The medal was presented to Epperson’s mother on July 4, 1945. Following Epperson’s death, his parents moved to Mount Sterling.
Burtner said Epperson was originally buried in Ohio, but his family had him re-interred in the Winchester Cemetery, as several of his relatives live in the area.
The ceremony will include a reading of Epperson’s citation and other remarks, he said.
The ceremony is open to all.
About Fred Petke
Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.
More by Fred
