Jarrett “Jarrett” Matthew Huddleston, Jr. 026389

Jarrett “Jerry” Matthew Huddleston Jr. was born on July 27, 1920, at a military facility in Koblenz, Saxony, Germany. His father was Jarrett Matthew Huddleston, a native of Washington, District of Columbia. Jarrett Sr. was a physician and a medical officer with the 8th infantry. His mother was Helen Mary MacLain, a native of Nashville, North Carolina. Jarrett Sr. and Helen met at Norfolk Navy Hospital while Helen was doing Red Cross Work. Jarrett was the oldest of four brothers: twins James and John (John died in infancy) and Thomas.

Jarrett’s birth was announced in a Washington, D.C. newspaper. In 1921, Jarrett and his parents sailed from Antwerp, Belgium to the United States. The family resided in Washington, D.C. throughout the 20s as suggested by city directories. Jarrett’s three brothers were born in D.C. The twins in 1921 and Thomas in 1924. The August 24, 1924, pictorial section of the Washington Post featured a photograph of Captain Jarrett Sr, Jarrett Jr and James. In 1925, Jarrett Sr was assigned to Bolling Field in D.C. The family appears to have spent 1930 to 1937 in D.C. Jarrett attended Woodrow Wilson High School. Historical newspapers indicate a Jarrett Huddleston competed in fencing through the Y.M.C.A. in D.C. In 1937, Jarrett Sr was relieved of duty at the Army Medical Center and George Washington University, and was assigned to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. While in Texas, Jarrett attended Central Catholic High School and continued to participate in fencing. In August 1938, Private Jarrett Huddleston, Jr. was one of 14 Texas guardsmen recommended for the West Point Preparatory school at Fort Sam Houston. He won his appointment through a competitive examination. Jarrett attended the U.S.M.A. and graduated with a B.S. degree in 1943.

Lieutenant Huddleston was sent overseas for duty in October 1944. He was an officer with the 106th infantry division (The Golden Lions), 424th Infantry Regiment, Company A. The 106th was located in Belgium and was part of the Battle of the Bulge (also referred to as the Ardennes-Alsace Campaign.) The regiment was described as receiving the “brunt of the Nazi breakthrough in December” 1944. Lt. Huddleston was the leader of what comrades called "Task Force Huddleston '' and successfully restored the 424th's positions on December 17, 1944. The events of January 13, 1945, were recalled by survivors and are documented on the 106th Infantry Division Association website and the Cub Magazine. Jarrett was the S-2 for the 424th. The battalion was in the province of Liege, moving through deep snow toward Coulee. On approach to Coulee, troops were hit by German 88mm artillery fire. 15 men were killed on the spot. Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Lamar Welch and Lt. Huddleston were hit. Welch was barely able to walk. First Sergeant Roger Rutland was given command and later wrote about the event. 1st Lt Huddleston suffered catastrophic leg injuries, but “...was still alert enough to pack snow on the remaining part of his legs to help stop the bleeding. He directed the two men carrying him to the Aid Station and died after arriving there.”

1st Lt. Huddleston was initially buried in La Coulée, Province of Liège, Belgium. On July 26, 1948, he was interred at Arlington National Memorial Cemetery. Jarrett is also remembered at the 424th Infantry Regiment monument at Ennal, Belgium and on the West Point Class of 1943 Monument in Orange, New York.

The roster of the 106th Infantry Association provides documented praise for 1st Lt. Huddleston. Colonel Reid, in writing about December 17, 1944, stated: “Officers higher in rank than Jarrett were informed that the importance of the mission demanded complete continuity, and their troops were placed under his temporary command. . . Only because of his courage, his ability, his willingness, his determination and his complete dependability was the mission accomplished." Colonel Welch stated: "The United States Army never had a braver soldier, nor one who thought more of fellow soldiers than Jarrett did.” From Captain William Perlman, regimental S-2, 424th Infantry: “the word ‘courage’ in capital letters was the outstanding characteristic of this officer.”

1st Lt. Jarrett Huddleston, Jr. was not the only member of the Huddleston family to serve his country. Col. Jarrett Matthew Huddleston, Sr was a medical doctor who served in the U.S. Military for 24 years. He was killed in action in Anzio, Italy on February 9, 1944. A US Hospital Ship was named in his honor. Jarrett, Sr. was interred at Arlington National Cemetery on July 26, 1948. Father and son share a grave and a headstone. Brother James also attended West Point and was a Lieutenant at the time of Jarrett’s passing. James also saw action at the Battle of the Bulge. He was reassigned to England following the deaths of his father and brother. James retired as a Lt. Colonel. Brother Thomas was a USMA West Point Cadet at the time of Jarrett’s passing. He retired as a Colonel. His first born son was named Jarrett Matthew. Jarrett was also the nephew of Major General John B. Wogan, who was married to his mother’s sister. Following the war, Helen Huddleston became the social director of St. Joseph’s Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. She is interred at Arlington with her husband and son.

Thank you, Jarrett Huddleston, for your service and sacrifice for our freedom!
This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org/). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WWII fallen on Fold3 and Together We Serve. Can you help write these stories? Related to this, there will be a smartphone app that will allow people to visit any war memorial or cemetery, scan the fallen's name and read his/her story.

If you have any details, photos, or corrections for this story, please click HERE to email Together We Served directly.

Laura Hanaford - Contributing Author, Stories Behind the Stars

References:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49208480/jarrett-matthew-huddleston
https://www.honorstates.org
https://www.ancestry.com (Census Records)
familysearch.com
https://www.findagrave.com
Newspapers.com (Washington DC Evening Star, Fort Worth-Star Telegram)
Genealogybank.com (San Antonio Light)
Fold3.com
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/york/name/james-huddleston-obituary?id=18981339
http://106thinfdivassn.org/index/html/v63n2.htm
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/fall-golden-lions
http://www.106thinfdivassn.org/roster106/rosterh.html

Acknowledgments:
*Thank you to George H USMA 93 for permission to use the photo from West Point records.

*Thank you to the 106th Infantry Division Association website for providing so much detail. This group was formed in 1946 and continues through today. Those interested in learning more about the 106th are encouraged to visit the website. "Lasting friendships do not always depend upon long periods of comradeship. The sacrifices, trials and sufferings in the white hot crucible of the Bulge created friendships which will last as long as two men of the Division still survive." ... The CUB, Vol 3, No. 1, August 1946...
https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=52824

Huddleston, Jarrett Matthew (Jerry), 1LT