Major General Reginald C. Harmon

US Air Force Military Biographies, Annual, 2004

Reserves

Pursuant to his characteristic determination to ensure preparedness, General Harmon personally supervises the activities of the Judge Advocate General Department Reserve which he established. Now in its eighth year, this group of 1,500 stand-by officer-attorneys provides an augmentative force to the regular establishment. These officers are thoroughly trained to meet emergency legal requirements of the Air Force. Through special training groups in various Air Force active duty headquarters and through legal training flights throughout the nation (93 principal cities). General Harmon establishes and maintains the professional standards and training received by Reservists. The quality of the legal courses offered to his Reservists is ensured by the fact that they are prepared by the general's staff of experienced creative legal writers. Two field grade officers are assigned to full-time duties concerning JAG Reserve affairs.

Distinguished Service Medal

On Dec. 17, 1956, Major General Reginald C. Harmon was presented our country's highest peacetime military award, the Distinguished Service Medal. Upon receiving this medal, General Harmon was characterized as follows

"... Few men in our century have been given the opportunity to render dual service to their country and profession and have acquitted themselves in a more distinguished manner than has our medalist during his tenure as the first judge advocate general of the U.S. Air Force."

This medal, established by Congress in 1918, is a peacetime award limited to recognition of service of national or international significance. It was fitting that General Harmon received this high award at the Pentagon, for it was from his Pentagon office that he successfully lead and directed the legal department of the U.S. Air Force during its formative years from 1949-1956.

Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree

It is not only the military that has recognized General Harmon's vital service to his country and to his profession. In 1951, the National University School of Law, Washington, D.C., (now consolidated with The George Washington University School of Law), conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) in recognition of his contribution to legal, education within and outside the scope of his official duties.

Delegate to United Nations Congress

In 1955 General Harmon was selected by the Department of State as one of the United States delegates to the First United Nations Congress In Geneva, Switzerland, on the subject of the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders.

Future Plans

Because General Harmon will be eligible for retirement in the prime of life and because he is energetic by nature, he repeatedly declined to consider lucrative post-service activities which do not represent service to the legal profession or to the training of younger lawyers for positions of responsibility to their government and community. Long an enthusiastic supporter of higher education, he is keenly interested in academic endeavors. His greatest interest lies in public or private tasks which will blend his administrative and legal talents with a busy and productive assignment.