Harmon, Arthur C., 1925-2006,

Biography

Arthur C. Harmon was born in Topeka, Kansas on June 26, 1925 and raised in Los Angeles, California. As a young child, Harmon became captivated by aviation through radio programs such as the Air Adventures of Jimmie Allen and model airplane building. He also showed an early interest in music and at the age of seventeen became a member of the local Musicians Union. In 1943, Harmon decided to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a pilot and joined the United States Army Air Corps. He trained at the Tuskegee Army Air Field and graduated from class TE-45-G as a Second Lieutenant on October 16, 1945. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the 617th Medium Bombardment Squadron of the 477th Composite group as a pilot. This group never saw action in World War II as Japan surrendered before their training was complete and the group was disbanded on July 1, 1947.

Upon his discharge from the United States Air Force (USAF) Harmon decided to pursue his other early interest of music by attending and majoring in Music at George Pepperdine College (currently Pepperdine University). In 1951, he was recalled by the USAF and continued his military career on assignments at Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB), Fairchild AFB, Yokota Air Base (AB), Hill AFB, Elmendorf AFB, and Langley AFB. Harmon worked in the Strategic Air Command, Alaskan Air Command, and in the Major Air Command Aircraft Accident Prevention of the 4500th Air Base Wing. During the course of his military career, in 1953, Harmon was married to Irene Prince. In 1968, he retired from the USAF as a Major and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve. After his retirement from the United States military Harmon settled in Lucas Valley-Marinwood, California and worked for Baldwin Piano and Organ Company as a sales representative and store manager. Additionally, he was part of the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Non-Marching Band as well as an active member of the Retired Military Officers Association, the Air Force Association, and the William “Bill” Campbell chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Arthur C. Harmon passed away at his Marin County, California home on May 10th, 2006 at the age of eighty.

• 1925:: Arthur C. Harmon was born in Topeka, Kansas on June 26th.
• 1929:: Harmon's family moved to Los Angeles, California.
• 1942:: Harmon became a member of the Musicians Union.
• 1943:: Harmon joined the United States Army Air Corps.
• 1945:: Harmon graduated as a member of class TE-45-G as a Second Lieutenant on October 16th.
• 1953:: Harmon married Irene Prince on August 1st.
• 1968:: Harmon retired from the United States Air Force on August 1st.
• 2006:: Arthur C. Harmon died on May 10th.
• 2008:: A soil exposure on Mars was named after Harmon and investigated by the Mars Exploration Rover, Spirit, as a target of scientific interest.

From the guide to the Arthur C. Harmon papers, 1940-2006, undated, 1995-2006, (Rivera Library. Special Collections Department.)