Harold S. Colen – Colonel, United States Army

From a contemporary press report:

Harold S. Colen, 85, a retired Army colonel who later served as a civilian logistics planning officer for the Navy Department, died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease August 1, 1999 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Colonel Colen, a resident of Fairfax, was born in New York and graduated from New York University.

He served 30 years in the Army before retiring in 1969. He was a combat infantry officer in World War II, and he participated in the Allied landings  in France on June 6, 1944. He also served in the Korean War. For much of his military career, he was a transportation specialist, and he served in Japan and at various posts in the United States. He had lived in the Washington area for 41 years.

His decorations included a Legion of Merit and a Bronze Star.

After his Army retirement, he was a civilian chief of a logistics office for the Department of the Navy for 10 years. He received a Superior Civilian Service Award.

Colonel Colen was a Mason and a member of Alexandria’s Washington Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite and Kena Temple of the Shrine.

Survivors include his wife, Mari Colen of Fairfax; a daughter, Libby Colen Roper of Evergreen, Colo.; and two grandsons.


COLEN, HAROLD S. COL USA (Ret.)

On Sunday, August 1, 1999. Loving husband of Mari Colen; loving father of Libby Colen Roper; father-in-law of Robert Roper; grandfather of Adam and Jacob Roper. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, August 26, 1999, 1 p.m., at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Collingwood Library and Museum, 8301 E. Blvd. Dr., Alexandria, VA 22308.

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