Harry Howard Black

Harry Howard Black, 90, of Annandale, VA passed away on September 23, 2010. He was born in Ohio to Ross Oliver and Nellie Baer Black. After serving in the Ohio National Guard he joined the United States Marine Corps to serve in World War II. During the time of the war he survived the battle of Iwo Jima, and was injured in Tinian. His military duties before WWII included design and testing of the new landing craft (LST). During the war, he served in combat roles on a number of Pacific islands including the landing of troops on those Islands. After World War II, he left the Marine Corps and joined the Army. He fought in the Korean War where he helped establish the first helicopter unit. Following the Korean War, he went to work for Sikorsky aircraft which eventually led him to his career as an Air Safety Investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board.

Harry was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years Marie E. Black in 2002; and a daughter, Sharon L. Strope in 1974.

Left to cherish his love and memories are a daughter and two sons, Leslie Y. Currie and her husband Michael; Christopher M. Black and his wife Robin, and Kevin N. Black and his wife Lena; eight grandchildren, Brian Currie, Scott Currie, Marc Currie, Gabrielle Gregory, Carolyn Black, Christopher A. Black, Alex Gorbachev, and Jane Grinberg; three great-grandchildren, Valerie Currie, Daniel Gregory, and Julian Gregory; a cousin, Ruth Stomphoeffer; a niece, Peggy Siegrist; and his beloved dog, Little Girl.

A graveside service will be at 11:30 AM, Sunday, September 26, 2010 in National Memorial Park with Military Honors and Masonic Rites.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Harry’s name to Capital Hospice, Falls Church, VA.

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