Myron Harrington Obituary

Col. Myron Charles Harrington, Jr., USMC (Ret.) CHARLOTTE, NC - 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, GA 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 PA 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, Charleston SC. 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 pm. at the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Mt. Pleasant Chapel, 1494 Mathis Ferry Road, Mt. Pleasant SC. The Service will be livestreamed and will be accessible through www.jhenrystuhr.com. Colonel Harrington will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on a future date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the General Society of Colonial Wars, Col Myron C. Harrington, Jr., USMC, Ret., '60, Scholarship at The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409 or by going online to https://foundation.citadel.edu/harrington.