Foster L. Harrington
Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps
Sgt Foster L. Harrington, 31, of Ft. Worth, Texas, died Sept. 20, 2004 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Harrington was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve’s 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, 4th Marine Division, Mobile, Alabama.
Harrington was more worried about his fiancee and others in Alabama threatened by Hurricane Ivan than the dangers he was facing in Iraq. “I said, `Foster, you’re in worse circumstances than I am, so why are you worried about me?’” said his fiancee, Fran Poston. “He said, ‘Because I want to make sure you’re taken care of. I’m OK where I’m at.’” Harrington, 31, joined the Marines in 1992 and was a water combat instructor and assigned to the Marines’ version of a special-forces unit. “The last words he talked about, he said ‘I’ll be back,’” said Paul Newton, chief of the Seven Hills Volunteer Fire Department, near Mobile, where Harrington was a firefighter and medic. “I said, ‘Buddy, your gear is in the closet, it’s yours and no one else is going take it,’” Newton said. Harrington said he’d be back for it, but “‘This is something I got to do, I want to go.’
Sgt Harrington was well loved by his family and friends. I received a touching letter from one of Harrington’s fellow Marines that spoke very highly of the fallen sergeant:
Foster was my rack-mate in bootcamp. (San Deigo 1st Battlion, Charlie Company, Platoon 1102) and we also served together in MCT. Foster was a solid Marine and very funny guy. We enlisted at the same time and actually roomed together when we went through the enlisting phase (MEPS). We rode together and took the same flight, and ended up on the same famed bus and yellow footprints. Foster was a Marine’s Marine. He was hard-core. I was impressed by his physical resilience, yet he never took himself too seriously. An intresting fact is the drill instructor form the reality show Boot Camp and Celebrity Boot Camp, Rosenbum, was our actual, real life DI. Foster and I were scribes and had the chance for many gear guard duties while the rest of the platoon was away. Rosenbum would wear us out and Foster always had such a great, playfull attitude about it. I, on the other hand, would be wiped out. Yet he would always cheer me up. We leaned on each other. It’s the purest form of brotherhood I have ever known. When I think back to Foster I instantly think a textbook Marine both in professional acheivement and the admiration and respect of felow Marines. Foster is the Marine you want in your platoon.
In reality, I had never met someone of the Jewish faith. Of course, I had read and heard all the ‘sterotypes’. They were instantly ‘removed’ when I met Foster. He was a great guy who was very proud of his faith. When he attended synagogue I would literally miss him. He tried to entice me to go to Jewish services by pointing out that, “We get Coke and our service lasts longer!” He was kidding, but that was Foster’s sense of humor. He and I lived close and we went out when we got back from MCT. Foster went on to achieve great things and I am very proud of him. As my brother, I wish him to be remembered for being a Marine, a great Jewish-American, and a hero.
One time in boot camp, Foster and I were joking in our two-man hooch in the middle of nowhere. To our surprise, our Company Commander poked his head in the hooch with a glare. The next day our senior asked who the joksters were. We both stepped forward. The DI decreed we were to perform the Grim Reaper (26 Mile Force March) again as punishment. When the day came for those Marines who had not completed the Reaper the first time to complete the march, Foster and I stepped forward to receive our punishment. Much to our pleasure, our DI told us to stop joking around and get back in formation. We both looked at each other and as if by ESP, communicated a big “YES!!!!!” It’s a simple story, but it personfies the reltionships that Marines forge.
When we were “first phasers” and a group of ‘hardened’ “third phasers” marched by our DI asked us if we felt goosebumps. We did. It was the spirt of Marines past. Foster and I looked at each other in silent agreement. I still feel those goosebumps now, but they have greater meaning . Even in death, I count Foster as one of my closest friends and miss him very much. I tend to his grave site and will continue to as long as the Lord allows me. He rests well, and not alone. Until then, he guards the streets of Heaven. It is my sincerest wish that we all remember the sacrifice of Sgt Foster Harrington.
You can leave a memorial message for Sgt Harrington at the Fallen Heroes Memorial and read more about him here.
Your article says he was Jewish ,yet the article in the link said his funeral was held in a Baptist Church.
I don’t know this the specific details, but this is what I would assume:
The article says that he had only moved to Mobile 18 months prior and that both of his parents are deceased. I gather that the only “family” he had left was his fiancee (who may or may not be Jewish). His funeral and burial were not at the church, rather it was a memorial service for those that knew him.
I would think that since the memorial service was planned by the fire fighters (and his fiancee?), that it would be in a setting they are familiar with.
I doubt his fiancee would allow any service that would go against Sgt Harrington’s wishes. Indepentdent of the specifics of this story, the topic does bring up a good point for the rest of us.
If you don’t have a will that clearly states your wishes for a Jewish burial (or any wishes, for that matter), you should. Even if you have parents or other loved ones who you think would take care of things, we should always be prepared for, God forbid, the worst case scenario. I consider it an issue of combat readiness. If you are worried about your personal affairs when you need to be focused on the task at hand, you are not operating at 100%.
Jewish, or not, those that have given their lives in the service of our country are all heros. I know Mark didn’t imply anything to the contrary by his post, but I feel like I should point something out. Any discussion here about the religion of a “Featured Jew” is not an attack on that person’s actions or merit, but rather an issue of whether they should be featured on this specific website.
I heard back from his friend that submitted Sgt Harrington’s story to the website:
He also sent me a photo of Sgt Harrington’s tombstone, which I have added to the main article.
No ,i do respect all that have served i was curious.My father who was Jewish served in 82nd
Mark
BTW thanks for the response.
Mark
So all of you know. Frandora poston was not his fiancee. He was going to move back to FT.Worth TX after he got back from Iraq. And wanted frandora to move here with him, Though he did care for her he was more worried for me, he’s [younger brother]
Yes he was very proud of his faith. It was a jewish ceromony peformed by a rabbi, along with military honors. He was a great marine, a great man , and great brother. who will be missed very much. I was he’s only immediate family left, besides the marines. He shall, and always will be honored, as an american hero.
1. For Jason Harrington, would you please post Mark’s Hebrew name. At my synagogue, they want it for prayers. Not mandatory but highly preferred.
2. For anybody who knows, what is the percentage of Jews in the Marines? In a speech at a synagogue, a recent graduate of boot camp said Jews were underrepresented. Is that true, and has it always been that way; especially, was it true in WWII? My personal, uncalculated, experience made me think the opposite. (I haven’t been able to get back to that speech and only briefly scanned it, so I don’t remember his name. Obviously, I’m no computer wiz.)
To answer the question submitted by Mr. Merlin:
As for anyone who states that Jews are “under-represented” in the Marines or any other branch of service – what do they base their statement on? How many people in their unit had Jewish last names or how many Jews they met at their base’s Jewish services? I spent 31 years in the Marine Corps and I can tell you that MOST (approximately 90%) of Jews in the US military are NOT religious and do not usually attend religious services (by the way about 90% of Christians in the military are not regular chapel attenders either), plus most do not have typically Jewish names, and they do not usually discuss, what religious background they have unless they are specifically asked. Example: I once worked in a section that had 30 Marines – 5 of whom were of Jewish background! Although only 1 out of the 5 had a typical Jewish last name, and the only reason that I knew that the others were Jewish was that I was their section Chief and everyone in the section knew that I went to Shabbat services on base every Friday night so they would come to services with me sometimes (most of them not having cars). I’ve met other Marines of Jewish background in EVERY unit I’ve every been in – my estimate is that the Marine Corps is approximately 1% of Jewish background based on my 31 years of experience, which is about the same representative level of voluntary military service of any other American group having a achieved a similar socio-economic level (i.e., Japanese-Americans).
Samson, I appreciate your reply. Thanks for taking the time, but I’m going to disagree with you. The reason for my question was that I had not seen anything on the subject since an article during, or about the time of, WWII. It said that in the Civil War, when such statistics were first kept, the percentage of Jews on both! sides was slightly above the percentage in the general population. It said that it had been the same in every war since.
The Jewish population of the U.S., currently, is about 2.5%. Your 6 Jews out of 30 is 20%. I’m sure the 20% doesn’t hold for the whole Marine Corps, but I would bet that it is more than 1%. My guess is that it continues to be pretty much the same as it has always been, slightly more than the general population; but I would still like to know more definitely, if anyone out there has details.
Arthur, After thinking about it for a while, I agree with you. However, let me clarify: 1. Each unit varies widely (I was 1 out of those 5) – that was the largest percentage of Jews that I ever had in any one unit in my 31 years of service. 2. Sometimes the definition of “Who is Jewish?” can be an issue, although for me it’s not an issue – to me anyone who says they’re Jewish or part Jewish is Jewish, at least ethnically. 3. The person whose article you read earlier stating that in their opinion Jews were under-represented (if it’s the article I’m thinking of, he was a PFC with about a year of experience in the Marine Corps) was apperently referring to the fact that he met very few Jews at services or in his unit. The problem with his assessment is that: A. Not many Jewish Marines attend religious services on a regular basis (proportionally very few Christians do either) and when they do they go off base if they can. B. Due to intermarriage and other factors (such as family names being changed at Ellis Island), most Marines of Jewish descent, as with most Americans of Jewish descent, do not have “Jewish last names” and are not clearly identifiable as such, I’m one of them. If this PFC met me face to face in his unit or in the chow hall he would NOT think that I was Jewish. C. Now-a-days, due to the Iraq/Afghanistan wars many Jews do not list themselves as Jewish (even on their dog tags) to avoid perceived or actual issues in those invironments. Bottom line: It is impossible to make an accurate count of how many Jews there are in the Marine Corps (or any other branch of service). However, I was shooting a bit low with my 1% estimate – after thinking about it I believe that you are correct. Thanks for your thought provoking comments!
Semper Fi, SAMSON
Jewish Marines make up about 1.5% of the Corps. Tht roughly corresponds to the 2% that they make of the population. They are officers and enlited alike, and they are all Marines, Semper Fi and Mazel Tov to all of them. They all serve and represent thieir Country, Religion, and the Corps, with pride and Gallantry.
Jim, Thank you for your comment – well said! Sounds like you are a current or veteran Marine – and as we say “Once a Marine, Always a Marine”! You made a good point – the Jewish Marines are of all backgrounds and ranks, officer and enlisted, Mazal tov to all – from recruits in Boot Camp to an active duty/currently serving 4 Star General: Robert Magnus, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps – OORAHH!
Thanks again, Semper Fi, SAMSON
I saw Sgt Harrington get killed. At the time I didnt know he was Jewish, I can tell you he was one tough SOB. I was out there in Husaybah, on the same track his squad was on. I wasnt a Recon Marine though, I was a medic for 1st Battalion 7th Marines. I threw the smoke grenade to block off his position after he was shot. A Jew taking care of another Jew. After his Recon Corpsman (medic) bandaged him up, he was in the back of my track while we were waiting for the medevac helicopter to come in, he was trying to stand up and go and fight. To his family, I can assure you, that the sub-human person that did this to him has been properly disposed of. I was on the phone with the guy who shot and killed him a week ago. Sgt Harrington, I’ll see you upstairs brother.
Time has past since my dear friend lost his life. Our families had been friends even before Foster and I were born. We had in some respect grown up together even though we were in different states. He was always a part of my life. As we got older we did become closer. He was a friend like no other. We shared tears together and laughed until we cried. He allowed me to see a side of him that few have seen. He was proud to be the person he was. I think of him everyday and miss him so much.
I also went through bootcamp with Foster. Like Little, I too had never known anyone who was Jewish. Foster got lots of questions from all of us about why he left (while he was gone to services). He answered them with great patience and knowledge. Foster represented his heritage well.
To Jason, your brother was a great friend to everyone in PLT 1102. He was a wonderful person. I heard from others who served with him later that he was a great Marine which was no surprise. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Doc, thanks for that info.
jason i hope you read this..i am Frans sister. she never said she was Foster’s fiance’..that was the press. but just so you know he did love Fran and her children very much and how rude of you to post such an nasty statement to “clear” the air. So not necessary. yes he loved you too but the two don’t even compare. and yes the “baptist” service that was held in mobile, al was for the community of seven hills to pay their respects to Foster-not a funeral. he chose to love my sister who by he way did not share the same faith but Foster knew that and respected her and you should have too. SHAME ON YOU JASON..
Foster was my son’s (John IV) best friend. I kinda feel like I raised him with the time he spent at my house.
My son had a really rough time when Foster came home.
A friend of mine, of the Marine Corps League, arranged for me to be on the tarmac as the plane taxied to a stop.
As a Fort Worth policeman, my son was supported by a long line of police cruises as the convoy, with hearst came to the plane.
Watching that convoy, at twilight, with lights on, and no sirens was a moving mental picture I will keep the rest of my life.
The Greenwood ceremony was non-demoniational and very crowded.
The funeral procession then drove 30 miles to the DFW National Cemetary.
Again, the FWPD stepped up, and had the whole freeway blocked down. Our average speed was over 60MPH.
The service at the cemetary was full military with all honors. It was a really moving service.
Foster has a beautiful final resting place, and if you are ever in DFW, please stop by and thank Foster for his sacrifice.
I did my stent in Viet Nam, and have found solace in two lines of a poem. The poem is “We Could Have Been Heros”, by Bill Mantooth.
The lines are:
“We applaud them, each and every one
For sacrifices made, and a job well done”
Thank you, Foster.
John, Thanks for sharing that with us. Foster must certainly have been a great Marine and a great person. It seems that he had such a positive effect on everyone who knew him. I spent 30 years in the Marine Corps and I’m sorry that I didn’t have a chance to meet him (at least that I’m aware of), that’s my loss. May his soul rest in peace as he “guards heavens gates.” As he looks down upon us, he knows we will never forget him. May you find comfort in knowing that your loss is shared by many. Thanks again, and thanks for your service to our country as well. May God bless you, Samson
I served with Foster in the mid 90’s at 29 Palms. I was in Charlie Co and he was in recon. He was a fun guy and a crazy dancer. I remember going to dance clubs with him and several other Marines. He would be the only one on the dance floor, but soon he would have the whole place out there. Front 242 was his favorite band at the time.
I knew Foster was Jewish because of a tattoo he had, but we never really spoke about it. Shirt of his back kind of guy.
I really miss that wildman.
I grew up directly behind Foster’s home in FT Worth. I was good friends with his younger brother. He use to torture the hell out of us, but in retrospect it was good times. Foster was a Marine long before he ever sworn an oath to our Nation. I am proud to have served in the same conflict as him and I know in my heart he passed loving what he did and who he was. God speed friend.
Respectfully,
SGT Marlett