Herbert Noel Harmon

Herbert Noel Harmon, 74, of Alexandria, died peacefully on March 10, 2019 surrounded by family. He lived a life of service to the US Marine Corps, the Legal Community of Washington, DC, the Catholic Church and especially his extended family and friends.

Herb retired as a Colonel from the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1998 after 30 years of military service. Herb served on active duty during the Vietnam War where he received the Purple Heart in 1968 for wounds received in action. He also earned the Combat Action Ribbon and as a member of the First Marine Division, received the Presidential Unit Citation with Ribbon Bar.

Colonel Harmon’s professional military affiliations include: National President of the Reserve Officers Association of the United States and the Marine Corps Reserve Officers Association, Board Member Young Marines, Marine Executive Association, Marine Corps Youth Foundation and Mack’s Marines.  He was a “founding father” of the Marine Corps Marathon.

Herb Harmon’s legal career began as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the District of Columbia from 1973-1977. In 1977 Herb and David W. Wilmot formed the law firm Harmon & Wilmot, LLP in Washington, DC. He is a past president of the Bar Association of the District of Columbia, past president of the Counselors, past treasurer of The Barristers of the District of Columbia, past president of the Exchange Club of Capitol Hill, past president of the Metropolitan Police Boys and Girls Club, past president of the Alexandria House Council of Co-Owners, past president of Serra International, Washington D.C. chapter. He is a third degree Knight of Columbus and a member of the John Carroll Society.

Born in Columbus, Ohio on November 15, 1944, Herb graduated from St. Philip High School in Battle Creek, MI in 1962. He graduated from the University of Detroit with a B.A. in Psychology in 1966 and after 1 year of law school at the University of Detroit, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He graduated from Basic School in June 1968 as an infantry officer. Following his service in the Marine Corps, he earned a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center in 1973.

He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Diane Wright Harmon, of Alexandria, his brother, Claybourne Harmon of South Carolina, and his sister, Susan Harmon Conlan, of Michigan. Perhaps he is most remembered as beloved “Uncle Herb” to two generations of nieces and nephews, whether related by blood or friendship who love him deeply and feel his loss with great sadness.

Herb’s incredible life of love and giving will be celebrated at a memorial Mass at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1427 West Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA 22302 at 11:00 am on March 26, 2019. He will be buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).

TAPS cares for survivors through peer-based emotional support, community-based care, casework assistance and a 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline. “TAPS is there for the everlasting mourning and grief, for the days that take you to your knees.”  Please click on the link below for additional information.

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