[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 5, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING COLONEL MYRON CHARLES HARRINGTON, JR.
______
HON. JOE WILSON
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on February 19th, America
lost a true hero and distinguished alumnus of The Citadel of
Charleston, South Carolina. I am grateful for his service to the
country and my thoughts and prayers go to his wife, Ann Randolph Hurst,
children, family, and friends.
The following is the obituary of Colonel Myron Charles Harrington,
Jr. from the Stuhr Funeral Home of Charleston:
``Retired United States Marine Corps officer, community
leader and academic administrator, Colonel Myron Charles
Harrington, Jr., formerly of Charleston, South Carolina,
passed away peacefully at his home in Charlotte, North
Carolina, on February 19, 2025. Colonel Harrington was a
highly decorated combat veteran who was revered in retirement
for his dedication to the Lowcountry. He will be greatly
missed by those he both inspired and served in his 86 years.
Colonel Harrington was born on August 13, 1938 in Augusta,
Georgia, to Myron Charles Harrington and Stella Irene Craig
Harrington. He graduated from Decatur High School class of
1956, and was a graduate of The Citadel, class of 1960. In
1961, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, USMC. His
education continued at the Army War College, Carlisle,
Pennsylvania and he received a Master of Science in Public
Administration from Shippensburg State College.
His distinguished Marine Corps career included: Company
Commander Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines Republic
of Viet Nam 1968 in The Battle of Hue City, Tet Offensive;
Assistant Naval Attache, American Embassy Canberra,
Australia; Commanding Officer 3rd Recruit Training Battalion,
Parris Island, SC; Commanding Officer, 24th Marine Amphibious
Unit, Beirut, Lebanon; Operations Officer Fleet Marine Forces
Atlantic; Chief of Staff Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, NC.
After being called upon during countless times of crisis
throughout his distinguished military career in Vietnam,
Beirut and Grenada, Colonel Harrington retired from the
Marine Corps as the Professor of Naval Science and Commanding
Officer of the Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps, The
Citadel, in 1991.
Colonel Harrington's personal decorations include: The Navy
Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with two Gold Stars in
lieu of second and third award, Navy Commendation Medal with
combat ``V'' and Gold Star in lieu of second award,
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star, and the
Vietnamese Staff Honor Medal First Class.
After retiring from the Marine Corps in 1992, Colonel
Harrington, joined the staff at Trident Academy as
Headmaster. He was active in the South Carolina Independent
Schools Association, Past President of the Palmetto
Association of Independent Schools and was the recipient of
the Dr. Charles Almar Award for Education Leadership. Upon
retirement from Trident, he was designated Headmaster
Emeritus.
Colonel Harrington served not only his country, but the
State of South Carolina, and the city of Charleston. He
received the State of South Carolina's highest civilian
honor, the Order of the Palmetto in 2010. He was involved in
many philanthropic and historical societies and was the first
South Carolinian elected Governor General of the General
Society of Colonial Wars. He served as a board member and
Historian of the Washington Light Infantry, Honorary member
of the Society of the Cincinnati State of South Carolina,
Legion of Valor, German Friendly Society the Charleston Club,
Kappa Alpha Order, Order of St. John, the Clergy Society,
Rotary Club of Charleston, and the Carolina Yacht Club. He
was also recognized by the National Society of the Daughters
of the American Revolution with their highest award, the DAR
Medal of Honor, stating, ``He has demonstrated through ethos
and action the ideals of servant leadership.''
The Citadel commanded his unwavering allegiance. He served
as Secretary, Alumni Elected Member, Vice-Chairman and
Chairman of the Board of Visitors respectively from 2006 to
2021. In 2023, he received an Honorary Doctor of Leadership
in recognition of his lifetime of service to both the
country, community, and the Citadel. The core values of The
Citadel: Honor, Duty, and Respect were fully embodied in
Colonel Harrington allowing him to fulfill The Citadel's
mission to become a leader in all walks of life.
A devout Christian, Colonel Harrington was dedicated to his
beloved church home, St. Philips Church of Charleston. He
served in the lay ministry as a Chalice Bearer, participated
in Bible Studies, and shared his testimony with men in the
community. He also served on the Vestry, finishing his term
as Senior Warden.
Colonel Harrington is survived by his beloved family: his
devoted and supportive wife of more than 60 years, Ann
Randolph Hurst, and their children, Ann Hunley and Mike
(Kathleen) Harrington, grandchildren; Emma Grace, Lily,
William, Charlotte, Forbes, and Ryan, sisters, Sara (Miller)
Byne of Charlotte, NC, Ann (Ernest) Dinkins of Augusta GA,
and close cousins, Craig (Martha Ann) Wardlaw of Charlotte,
NC and Barbara Sims of Augusta, GA.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Summerall Chapel on
the Citadel Campus on Thursday, March 6th, at 10:00 am.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 5th, 4:00-6:00 p.m. at
the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Mt. Pleasant Chapel, 1494 Mathis
Ferry Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC. The Service will be
livestreamed. Colonel Harrington will be laid to rest at
Arlington National Cemetery on a future date to be
announced.''
____________________