Jarl Lee Harris

Jarl Lee Harris, age 96, of Owenton, passed away Sunday, October 4, 2020, at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Lexington.

Born September 13, 1924, in Monterey, KY, he was the son of the late Jim and Mary Susan Harris and was preceded in death by his sisters, Evelyn Webster and brother Dee Thomas.  Jarl Lee was a sign maker and painter and had a storied career serving his country in the United States Armed Forces. The following was compiled by Jarl's friend, Marlene Browning Wainscott for the Owenton News-Herald:

D-Day in Normandy, Operation Market Garden in Holland, the Battle of the Bulge, the liberation of Jewish prisoners in Nazi concentration camps, V-E day May 8, 1945, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Harris was in the military for over 20 years. He received a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, several medals representing the countries where he served, and many additional awards and commendations from his participation in the three wars.

In World War II, Harris served as a paratrooper in the 326th Airborne Engineers, 101st Airborne Division “Screamin’ Eagles” of the United States Army. Following World War II, Harris enlisted in the United States Air Force and continued with the USAF until his retirement in 1969.

On Sept. 17, 1944, Harris was hit in the head by German artillery. “We were on the road,” he said. “You could hear them (the artillery) coming. We would hit the ground. If I had been hit anywhere else, it would have killed me, but my metal helmet took the biggest part of the impact.”

Dec. 1944 brought Harris and so many others into the Battle of the Bulge. The 101st had become surrounded by the German Army at the town of Bastogne. “It was a bad time,” Harris recalled. “We couldn’t get many supplies in because it was so cloudy. It made it impossible for the planes to come over to drop them. It was cold. We put some hay in our foxhole to make it warmer. We had heavy wool coats. They were warm, but it was still cold. The Germans wanted us to surrender, but Gen. McAuliffe told them, ‘Nuts!’” Harris chuckled and said that meant they weren’t going to surrender. “The tank general (Gen. George S. Patton) came in with the tanks and ended the battle.” After the Battle of the Bulge, members of the 101st went through Germany. “We liberated two concentration camps of Dachau,” Harris said. “I remember how hungry they were. We gave them some of our food.”

After their journey through Germany, the 101st headed toward Berchtesgaden (Hitler’s retreat, Eagle’s Nest, was in the mountains over Berchtesgaden). The war was over.

Harris’ military career did not end there. When he returned home, he finished high school so he could join the air force. In 1947, he received his pilot’s license from Clark Karsner at Karsner Air Field. “I learned to fly in an Aeronca plane. We did loops, spins and dips,” Harris recollected with a smile.

He then enlisted in the United States Air Force. During his USAF career, Harris participated in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He trained to become a mechanic on several planes, including the B-52 bomber. Harris also trained to become a technical instructor. When asked how he felt being in the war, Harris made this remark, “Combat is something you just had to experience to understand.”

Jarl Lee will be missed by many, including his children, Dennis Harris, Victor Harris, and Debbie Floyd, six grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; his siblings, Ethel Kincaid and George Thomas as well as a host of extended family and many friends.

McDonald & New Funeral Homes are in charge of arrangements. Family will receive friends at the MAIN STREET location on Thursday, October 8, 2020, from 11 am - 1 pm. This will be a pass-through visitation with social distancing and masks required. Graveside funeral services will follow at 2 pm at the Veterans Cemetery North in Williamstown with Military Honors.