In mid-September 1924, Alvin H. and Myra Belle Atwood Harrell, of Turkey Creek, Trigg County, were nurturing the idea of family, soon expecting another child.
A century later, a standing-room only crowd gathered Saturday morning at the Fenton Overlook near Kentucky Lake — celebrating that child, Sgt. Edgar Alvin Harrell, with his wide-spreading family, for a well-lived and honorable life worthy of two memorial signs along the federal portion of U.S. 68/80 in Land Between the Lakes.
His resting place in Murray’s Memorial Gardens, Harrell died Saturday, May 8, 2021, at the age of 96. A career with Pella Window Company came only after his time as a decorated U.S. Marine, where he had been assigned to the USS Indianapolis in 1944.
At 12:15 AM July 30, 1945, in the Philippine Sea, Japanese Navy submarine I-58 unleashed a barrage of torpedoes at the ship — sinking it, and its crew of 1,195 souls, in 12 minutes.
Still considered among the worst naval disasters in American military history, Harrell was one of just 316 survivors discovered four days later — some divine providence perhaps keeping them from shark attacks, exposure, salt poisoning, dehydration and other aquatic perils.
Between the Rivers descendant Cindy Ezell-Hinson has spent the last year making sure this man’s legacy was etched into eternity correctly, paving a way for others to learn of this native son. The journey began when she first besought Judge-Executive Stan Humphries and his magistrates to petition the Kentucky General Assembly for this honor.
She had been inspired not only by her service on “Honor Flight,” but also by seeing a stretch of road named “Edgar Harrell Highway” in northwest Tennessee.
Now, her watch is finished.
Humphries noted the signs were made possible not only through Ezell-Hinson’s intention, but through the legislative arms of his own court, Fifth District Representative Mary Beth Imes, Eighth District Representative Walker Thomas, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and the U.S. Forestry Service, as well as individuals like Dusty Harrell, Jackson Ezell, Shirley Ezell and Paula Flood.
The markers, he said, are befitting for a man who gave “so much to his country.”
Harrell’s son, David, a pastor, said his father had always been proud to be a resident of Turkey Creek, often talking fondly of his humble roots.
So when the two finally came together and agreed to co-author a World War II reflection and autobiography, titled “Out of the Depths,” it had to be mentioned. To date, the book has sold more than 50,000 copies.
Jim McCoy, area supervisor for the U.S. Forest Service and LBL, spent a few moments acknowledging the federal government’s assumption of the land, which not only forced the removal of Trigg Countians, but also Native Americans who once called Between the Rivers “home.”
Imminent domain impacted the Harrell’s, who split in either direction, and McCoy — a retired veteran whose son currently serves at Arlington National Cemetery — said it was necessary to capture all of the region’s history.
The son of USS Indianapolis dentist Earl Henry, Mayfield native Earl Henry Jr. shared that it was he and Harrell who were among those honored in 2018, when the last known survivors and their descendants were invited to receive the Congressional Gold Medal.
Harrell, Henry said, used to speak about his father — and how a routine health check brought memories of home.
Of the 39 Marines on board of the USS Indianapolis, Harrell was one of nine who returned safely to the States.
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