Lee Varner
S/Sgt. Lee A Varner was assigned to the 301st BG 419th Squadron.
T/Sgt. Lee A. Varner was shot down and captured on his 4th mission, 11 April 1944, with the 452nd Bomb Group. Lee had returned to combat after being rotated home from the 301st Bomb Group after flying 52 missions. Lee is second from the right with his arms up and hands behind his head.
The 452nd Bomb Group aircraft that Lee was the engineer and top turrent gunner on. A flak burst knocked out one engine. As he was ducking into into the cockpit to assist the pilots feathering the props, another flak burst damaged the turrent and wounded Lee. His wounds resulted in the loss of sight in one eye.
The following information on Lee Varner is gathered and extracted from military records. We have many documents and copies of documents, including military award documents. It is from these documents that we have found this information on S/Sgt. Varner. These serviceman's records are nowhere near complete and we are always looking for more material. If you can help add to Lee Varner's military record please contact us.
| Date | Order | Award | Ribbon & Device | Document Originator | Rank | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
05/12/1943 |
General Order (GO)* : 78 |
AM/1OLC Air Medal Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster |
 
|
Issuing Authority: 12th Air Force |
Current Rank: SSGT |
|
05/15/1943 |
General Order (GO)* : 83 |
AM/5OLC Air Medal Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Silver Oak Leaf Cluster = 5 OLCs |
|
Issuing Authority: 12th Air Force |
Current Rank: SSGT |
|
05/18/1943 |
General Order (GO)* : 85 |
AM/6OLC Air Medal Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster |
|
Issuing Authority: 12th Air Force |
Current Rank: SSGT |
|
05/18/1943 |
General Order (GO)* : 85 |
AM/7OLC Air Medal Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster |
|
Issuing Authority: 12th Air Force |
Current Rank: SSGT |
|
05/24/1943 |
General Order (GO)* : 9010 |
AM/8OLC Air Medal Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster |
|
Issuing Authority: 12th Air Force |
Current Rank: SSGT |
|
05/29/1943 |
General Order (GO)* : 101 |
AM/9OLC Air Medal Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster |
|
Issuing Authority: 12th Air Force |
Current Rank: SSGT |
|
* Documents are of the type/classification of "General Order" for most award documents. The listed documents are GO, General Order unless otherwise stated. For example. Special Orders.
The Issuing Authority is the Command and author of the document.
4/6/1943 
2/20/1943 Awarded for 25 missions DFC
5/24/1943 AM/OLC
4/6/1943 PUC
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