Bridgewater College

VIDEO: LEON GARBER HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY

O. Leon Garber becomes the first Bridgewater Athletic Hall of Fame honoree with the distinction of graduating from both Bridgewater High School in 1935 and then from Bridgewater College in 1942. Garber was a three-year letterman in basketball and track and field who subsequently went on to serve his country in World War II and in the U.S. Court System.

Garber helped the Eagles' basketball team to 22 wins from 1938-42 and served as the Eagles' captain in 1941 and '42. A standout performer on the hardwood, Garber led the Eagles in scoring in 1941 with an 11.0 points per game average, and was also among the leading scorers again in '42 despite being sidelined for three games with a knee injury. Garber was also the track and field team captain in both 1941 and '42 and competed in the 100-yard dash, 220-yard low hurdles, broad jump, javelin and pole vault events. In his senior season, Garber captured the Mason-Dixon Conference broad jump championship.

Garber was also heavily involved in student government during his time at Bridgewater. He was elected senior class president for the 1941-42 school year and was also a member of the student council. Upon his graduation in 1942, Garber was commissioned in the U.S. Marine Corps and was sent to the Pacific theatre of operations. He served as a Bomb Disposal Officer in the 22nd-Marines, First Provisional Marine Brigade, Third Amphibious Corps, and was awarded the Silver Star medal for heroism during the invasion of Guam in the Mariana Islands. Garber was also involved in the invasions of the New Georgia and Solomon Islands, and the isle of Iwo Jima. He later participated in the Korean Conflict before being honorably discharged with the rank of captain. Garber continued to remain active in the U.S. Marine Corps reserves after the Korean War and eventually attained the rank of Colonel. Upon his retirement from the service, Garber spent his professional life in North Carolina as the Chief Probation Officer for the U.S. District Court of central North Carolina.

Leon Garber's contributions to the College as well as his extraordinary service to this country make him a worthy candidate for the Bridgewater College Athletic Hall of Fame.