Decorated World War II Marine Browner dies at 80

Monday, March 21, 2005 | 11:06 a.m.

For family and friends of decorated Marine Ralph Browner, the man behind the medals displayed a heart and soul that proved him a hero beyond World War II.

As a 19-year-old Marine corporal, Browner found himself alone in a foxhole on the island of Saipan in July 1944. He was ordered to hold off advancing Japanese troops through the night.

Retired Marine Jack Sone of Mountain View, Calif., attended memorial services Sunday for Browner, who died Thursday at 80. He said his buddy, hidden in that foxhole, didn't expect to make it.

"I bet you $100 million he didn't expect to see sunrise," Sone said.

Somehow Browner ducked whizzing bullets, avoided grenades and survived hand-to-hand combat without being wounded, Sone said.

Known as the "midget Marine" because he was 5-foot, 6-inches tall, Browner fought off three Japanese soldiers who crept out of the waves, shooting each of them through the head, his widow, Mary Browner, said.

"If he hadn't heard sea water dripping off one of their loincloths, he wouldn't have survived," she said.

"He never talked about anything for years," Mary Browner said.

A total of 35 dead enemy soldiers were found around Browner's foxhole. He was awarded the Navy Cross for holding his position and protecting the company.

After the war, Ralph Browner returned to Pitcher, Okla., where he was born Oct. 2, 1924. There he married Mary, the girl next door.

His youngest son, David Browner, said for years his father kept a miniature pagoda, complete with a sacred stone and a statue of the Buddha.

"He recently told us that he had given a girl on the island a chocolate bar, and she returned with the pagoda," David Browner said.

Reading from a journal kept by his father, David Browner said his father saw the soul as a gift packaged in human bodies on earth.

"My love for all of you will live for eternity," were the late Marine's words read by the son at the service at Palm Mortuary at 7400 W. Cheyenne Ave.

In 2003 he served as the National Commander of the Legion of Valor, a group whose members have been awarded one of the highest military distinctions for heroism: a Medal of Honor, a Distinguished Service Cross, a Navy Cross or an Air Force Cross.

Browner was buried this morning with full military honors at the Southern Nevada Veterans Cemetery in Boulder City.

Although Richard Buchanan served in the Navy during the Vietnam war, he said he met Browner at a Legion of Valor annual reunion.

This year the Legion of Valor will meet in Fresno, Calif., May 5 through May 8.

"Last word I got from Ralph was he would see us there," Buchanan said, his lips trembling.

There will be a special memorial for those who have died this year, such as Ralph Browner, Buchanan said.

"Say his name one last time," Buchanan said, turning to gaze at the flag-draped casket. Then, one final solute: "Goodbye, brother."

Besides his service in the Marines, Browner worked as a contractor in Los Angeles for 23 years, moving to Las Vegas from Wrightwood, Calif., to be near his daughter, Barbara Price.

Browner served as a past president of the 2nd Marine Division, Southern California Chapter; was a member of the Las Vegas Marine League; belonged to veterans organizations; and held a red belt in tae kwon do.

He was also a pilot, a bowler, a football fan and a square dancer.

He is also survived by his sons Gary Browner of Wrightwood, and David Browner, of Hesperia, Calif.; sisters Joyce Pierce and Doretha Rubio; brothers Raymond Browner and Jerry Browner and six grandchildren.