Our History

American Legion Post 265 had its beginning in 1946 with the help of the Clarence Meadows Post 78 Swansboro. Mr. Z. Ennis Murrell was a long-time member of Post 78 and saw the need to organize an American Legion Post in Jacksonville with so many citizens returning home after having served their time during World War II. He along with Albert J. Ellis and H. G. Buddy Phillips started the post which received its charter on May 17th, 1947.

The Post was named after two members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives during this period. Mr. John Burton Jr. and Mr. Eugene Cowell both were from Jacksonville and were graduates of Jacksonville High School.

The first meetings were held at Onslow County Court House and were later moved to the upstairs portion of Club Trocadero located on Marine Boulevard. This building later was known as the Infant of Prague Church prior to its burning, and a new church was built. In 1949, the Post rented a building on Old Bridge Street, and in a few years purchased the property which was located next to the Pelletier House (where the New Court House is presently located). This property was later sold to Onslow County for the building of the current Court House.

The Post active in community services started the Christmas Cheer Program. In 1949, the Post began riding through the neighborhood on the 40 & 8 Train collecting toys, clothing, and canned goods. Children would stand outside to donate goods then get a ride on the train. The Post would begin collecting in November and have the Cheer boxes ready by Christmas. We still participate in this program today; however, the train no longer is used.

In 1955, the Post joined other organizations to become part of the Onslow County Fair Association. Land purchased where the present Post is located, came about when the Onslow County Fair Association was having difficulty in renting property for staging the Annual Fair. When the other civic organizations were reluctant to invest in any property, Mr. Z. Ennis Murrell and Mr. Jimmy Davis went to Raleigh for an appointment with Governor Sanford. They were referred to the Prison Department which had declared the Onslow Prison Unit and Farm as surplus property. An agreement was reached with them, and 40 acres of land was purchased which is now known as the Onslow County Fair Grounds. This was done during the late 1950s and early 1960s; subsequent fairs were held in tents until the present post home was built. Later on in future years, a part of the property was sold to Onslow County where the present school administration buildings are located. The Post 265 building was dedicated to Z. Ennis Murrell.

This Post had the honor in nominating Max Robinson for N.C. Department Commander in 1977, and still today he has been the only member from this post elected and served in that position.

The first Onslow County Fair held in the Burton-Cowell American Legion Post 265 building was in 1981 and has been home to the Onslow County Fair since.

The Post through the years has continued to serve Veterans and the people of Onslow County. Over the years donations have been given organizations such as the Salvation Army, Onslow County Soup Kitchen, Council of Aging, Peers, Hospice, Red Cross, March of Dimes, American Cancer Society and many other worthy organizations.

American Legion Post 265 takes great pride in the youth of Onslow County by supporting Project Graduation in all high schools, Boy’s & Girl’s State for high school students, Student Trooper Program, Oratorical program, local athletics programs such as Jacksonville Little League Baseball, the American Legion Baseball program, and Boy & Girl Scouts of America.

In Aug 2019, the American Legion Riders Chapter 265 was formed. They continue to support local events, events across North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, DC and supports the American Legion National Legacy Run each year.

On March 12, 2026, the building was the unfortunate target of an EF-0 tornado which caused the building to be destroyed.