George H. Grazier was the second son of Hobart E. Grazier and Madeline R. Taylor. He was raised in the home of his paternal grandfather, Charles Taylor, even after his mother remarried a bread salesman Oscar Carter.

The U. S. Census shows the family as living in State College, Centre County, Pennsylvania. The following names are shown as living in the home:
Head Charles Taylor M 63 Pennsylvania
Dau Madeline Carter F 40 Pennsylvania
Son Robert Grazier M 21 Pennsylvania
Son George Grazier M 19 Pennsylvania
Son Sarah Ann Grazier M 16 Pennsylvania
Son-in-law Oscar Carter M 42 Maine
Son Joseph Carter M 3 Pennsylvania

On January 26, 1942, Grazier traveled to Philadelphia and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After his training at Parris Island, South Carolina, he was posted to First Platoon, Company A, First Battalion, First Marine Regiment, First Marine Division. Following further training in North Carolina and a stop in New Zealand, Grazier landed on Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942. He was the runner for his platoon commander, Lieutenant John Jachym and stayed close to his lieutenant's side.

An American missionary in the village of Tatare reported to a Marine patrol that there was a Japanese strong point not far away. When the patrol returned to their regiment, further intelligence suggested that the enemy was interested in advancing along the eastern perimeter close to Henderson Field.

On the night of August 18, Company Commander, Captain Charles H. Brush Jr., informed Lt. Jachym that they would be going back out to try and make contact with the Japanese the missionary had told them about. At approximately 0700 the next morning Captain Brush and Lt. Jachym took approximately 60 Marines out to try and engage the enemy. After the patrol had traveled for a couple of hours, a break was being considered to allow the patrol to rest and eat. An orange grove was spotted in the distance and it was decided that the Marines would take their break there. But fate intervened for as they headed to the grove they ran into a Japanese patrol as it emerged from the jungle. Brush immediately separated his force sending one part to pin down the disorganized enemy, while the other under Lt. Jachym would work around the flank. Grazier stuck close to his lieutenant; this was his first experience in combat, as it was with every other man in the patrol.

As the fight continued, two Japanese machine guns deployed and began shooting back at the Marines. The struggle for fire superiority was in danger of shifting to the enemy, and soon half the patrol was pinned by the accurate, heavy fire. Ducking between the trees, Grazier located the machine gun, but couldn't get a shot at the crew.

Grazier was focused; his young mind seizing on the need to do something to help his friends, his lieutenant and his brother Marines. He raced out into the open, and began firing at the machine gun as fast as he could pull the trigger. The Japanese machine gunner turned to bring his weapon to bear on the Grazier, but his actions were too late. Thanks to Grazier the Marines now had the upper hand and within an hour all but three of the Japanese were dead or dying. But, so was George Grazier.

Grazier was buried along with Private James "Ice Man" Buckhalt and PFC Jack Gardner. Captain Brush, fearing a Japanese counterattack, had his Marines bury Grazier, Buckhalt and Gardner quickly, leaving their "boondockers" (boots) sticking out of the sand to make the graves easier to find later. But it would be several months before a Graves Registration detail came to recover the Marines' remains. But, the location was lost.

For 70 years, Grazier and his two brother Marines have lain side-by-side in the sandy soil of Guadalcanal in a location lost to mankind, but known to God.

Grazier was awarded the Navy Cross for his valorous actions that day. His citation reads as follows:
"The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to George H. Grazier (368895), Private, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty as a Platoon Runner with the First Platoon of Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 19 August 1942. Participating in a patrol near the village of Papangu, Private Grazer, when a hostile automatic weapon pinned two squads of Marines to the ground, boldly ran out on an exposed beach in order to bring his own fire to bear on the enemy and was killed in the attempt. His courageous initiative and complete disregard for his own personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave up his life in the defense of his country."

At the time of his death, Grazier's mother, Mrs. Madeline Carter, was living at 125 N Gill Street, Centre County, Pennsylvania.

Private George H. Grazier, Sn# 368895, earned the following badges/decorations for his service in the United State Marine Corps and during World War II:
- Navy Cross
- Purple Heart Medal
- Combat Action Ribbon
- American Defense Service Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations campaign Medal with one bronze battle/campaign star
- World War II Victory Medal
- Navy/Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon
- Marine Corps Rifle Marksmanship Badge
- Marine Corps Basic Qualification Badge with Bars

**NOTE** - A portion of this bio is based on information from the website missingmarines.com. They have done a fantastic job of researching approximately 3000 US Marines whose bodies were lost in the war. This writer wholeheartedly recommends their site for researchers or families of the missing. - Rick Lawrence, MSgt., USMC/USAFR {RET})