Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino (front row third from right), Councilwoman Michele M. Johnson (back row left), Councilman Louis B. Imbroto (back row third from left), and own Councilman Thomas P. Hand (back row second from left) dedicated a pier at the Western Waterfront in Oyster Bay in celebration of the life and legacy of highly-decorated Vietnam War hero James A. Harrington, Jr. A 23-year old Locust Valley resident and local bayman, Harrington was killed in action while serving in Quang Ngai province on March 28, 1968. Also on hand for the dedication and pictured here were James A. Harrington, Jr’s brothers, Robert Harrington (front row fourth from right), Richard Harrington (back row, far right) and Michael Harrington (front row center), as well as other friends, family members and other elected officials in government
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilmembers and dozens of local veterans gathered today in celebrating the life and legacy of highly-decorated Vietnam War hero James A. Harrington, Jr. of Locust Valley and honored him by dedicating the pier at the Western Waterfront in Oyster Bay as the “Sgt. James A. Harrington, Jr. Memorial Pier.” A 23-year old Locust Valley resident, Harrington was killed in action while serving in Quang Ngai province on March 28, 1968. This highly decorated hero received the Bronze Star with Oak Cluster, the Medal of Valor with Vietnam Campaign Medals, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Medal, and the Conspicuous Service Medal from the State of New York.
“An extraordinary resident and patriot, James A. Harrington, Jr. made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and the Oyster Bay Town Board is proud to dedicate the Western Waterfront Pier in his memory,” said Supervisor Saladino. “As a local bayman, James loved the sea and I can think of no better way to honor his life and service than naming this prominent pier upon waters he once patrolled as a bayman in his honor.”
A decorated soldier, Sergeant Harrington grew up in Locust Valley, was a local bayman and loved the serenity that being on the water offered him. Sergeant Harrington demonstrated extraordinary bravery throughout a life that was tragically cut short. Upon completion of his first tour of duty in Vietnam in 1966, he volunteered for a second tour, where he made the ultimate sacrifice for his nation. This March 28th marks 50 years since his passing. His family fondly remembers him each year at the Locust Valley Memorial Day Parade and has further honored his memory by establishing the “James A. Harrington Award,” a prestigious honor presented annually at Locust Valley High School to a deserving young man and woman who have demonstrated the virtues that all who knew Sergeant Harrington say he possessed: pride, courage, loyalty, and teamwork.
“Sergeant Harrington was taken from his family far too soon but his spirit lives on today through his award, which has been given out for the past 42 years,” added Supervisor Saladino. “It is my honor today to celebrate the dedication, commitment, legacy, and sacrifice of Sergeant Harrington with the dedication of this pier.”