Veteran Spotlight: Honoring Robert T. Jamison

Remembering Robert

Story by Emily Clemmer

Photos provided by the VFW

The United States active military service is an all-volunteer force that comprises less than one percent of the U.S. population. The U.S. military service is made up of branches from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and most recently the Space Force. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it is estimated that 6.8 percent of the U.S. population are veterans.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is an organization providing fraternal, patriotic, historical, charitable, and educational purposes. Members of the VFW contribute hours of volunteerism in the community and even provide educational scholarships. The local Collierville VFW Post 5066, currently located on Center Street, was formed on December 6, 1945, and named in honor of Robert T. Jamison. He was the first World War II casualty from Collierville.

Private Jamison, a son of Mr. and Mrs. T.H. Jamison was a graduate of Collierville High School. His family, including his brother Curtis and sisters Mildred and Doris, lived on Highway 72 just south of Collierville. During his high school years, Jamison was an athlete who excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. He was even offered a position to play in Major League Baseball; however, he turned it down because the pay was limited to the season of play. Prior to entering the service, Pvt. Jamison worked at Jamison Grocery and worked as a salesman for Swift and Company. His brother served in the Air Corps and was stationed in England. Pvt. Jamison married Grace Piper prior to service and together they had two daughters, Celeste and Beverly.

Pvt. Robert Jamison entered the Army in January 1944 and served with the Infantry in France, Belgium, and Germany. He served overseas beginning July 20, 1944, and until he was killed in action on October 15, 1944, at 28 years young in Germany during the Battle of the Bulge. The Collierville Herald reported that "Robert was one of Collierville’s best and finest young men” adding that the community "was shocked upon learning of his death.” On the day his body was laid to rest in November of 1947, all of the businesses in Collierville rallied together and stayed closed for the day in support of the Jamison family and to celebrate the life of their hometown hero.

The Collierville VFW Post 5066 presented a wreath to the daughter, Beverly Summers, and grandson, Robert Pinkston of Robert T. Jamison, on the VFW’s 74th anniversary. His memorial marker can be found at Collierville’s Magnolia Cemetery.