Post History
American Legion Post 342
Salisbury, North Carolina
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Following the Second World War in Salisbury, N. C. it became apparent that a second American Legion Post was needed to accomodate the many returning Servicemen from Rowan County, North Carolina.
Harold B. Jarrett American Legion Post 342 had its beginning when a group of veterans from Chestnut Hill resolved to form an American Legion Post in the South Salisbury area. Several planning meetings were held at Doc Peeler's Drug Store on South Main Street to make plans for an organized meeting.
The first organized meeting was held September 2, 1946, in the Ryan Street Community Building. Fifty-one enthusiastic ex-service men were present at that time to discuss the formation of a new American Legion Post for Salisbury.
On September 11, 1946, a letter was received from the American Legion State Headquarters stating that the Charter of the Harold B. Jarrett American Post had been accepted. Thus the dream of the Chestnut Hill and the Southern area of Salisbury veterans became a reality. Another American Legion Post had been organized to take its place in Rowan County.
When the Chestnut Hill veterans had decided to form an American Legion Post of their own, one of the first matters that had come up was the question of a name for their Post.
The names of several local servicemen who had been killed in World War II, and, who had distinguished themselves during their military service, were considered.
In a secret ballot, the name of Harold B. Jarrett was selected as the name for the new American Legion Post.
Harold B.Jarrett was born in Salisbury, September 20, 1919. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Jarrett. He attended Boyden High School and was a member of the Coburn Memorial Church. A popular member of Salisbury's younger set, he possessed a sterling character.
Entering the service of his Country April 17, 1942, Jarrett completed his basic training at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina and sailed overseas August 1, 1942, with Company "C" of the 60lst Tank Destroyer Batallion.
He was stationed in England for a time, and was with the great invasion forces that swept to victory in North Africa.
Jarrett was with the invasion forces which penetrated the hotly contested coast of Southern France in 1944. He was killed the third day inland, on August 19, 1944. while engaged in battle at Brignoles, France, by German artillery.
American Legion Post 342 is honored to carry the name of Harold B. Jarrett, a true American hero and a namesake our Post can be proud to have.
Harold B. Jarrett was laid to rest in the Veterans Cemetery in his hometown of Salisbury, NC. Post 342 honors his memory with flowers placed on his grave in recognition of his ultimate sacrifice to his Country.
Taps: http://home.flash.net/~jfklancr/audio/jk21gtps.wav
(Click above)
Past Chaplain Henry Mize and members of the Post pay their respects on Veterans Day at the grave site of Harold B. Jarrett at the Veterans Cemetary in Salisbury, NC
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