Joseph Shelton Harreslon, Jr. – Colonel, United States Army

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 From a contemporary press report:

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Joseph S. Harrelson Jr., 84, a retired Army Colonel who worked from 1970 to 1985 at the University of Baltimore, where he had served as a professor and Political Science Department chairman, died April 17, 2003, at his home in Gaithersburg, Maryland, after a heart attack.

He commanded a rifle company in combat in Europe in World War II and a battalion of the 7th Infantry Division in combat in Korea during the war there. He attended the Army War College, taught tactics at the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and served on the staffs of the Army Chief of Staff and Joint Chiefs of Staff before retiring from active duty in 1967.

His decorations included the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal.

Colonel Harrelson, who lived in Baltimore before moving to Gaithersburg in January, was a South Carolina native. He was a political science graduate of the University of Maryland, where he also received a master’s degree in government and politics. He received a doctorate in government and international relations from American University.

He was the author of the 2002 book “A Handbook on How and Why Our Constitution and Systems of Government Came About.”

His marriage to Ginette Harrelson ended in divorce.

Survivors include two daughters, Alexis A. Aldamir of Boston and Ashley Joel Gardner of Ashton, Maryland; a son, John Mark Harrelson of Gaithersburg; three brothers; a sister; and six grandchildren. Another son, Joseph III, died in 1953.

HARRELSON, JOSEPH SHELTON, JR. Colonel, USA (Ret.), Age 84

On Thursday, April 17, 2003 of Baltimore, Maryalnd. Beloved father of Alexis, Ashley and John; brother of Andrew, Eugene, Annette and Bill; and grandfather of Michael, Stephen, Todd, Catie, Grant and Monica. He is also survived by his beloved Patti; his former wife, Ginette; and his dear friend, Kay.

Funeral Services will be held at the Old Post Chapel at Fort Myer, Fort Myer, Virginia, on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to assemble at the Old Post Chapel by 8:30 a.m. Interment Arlington National Cemetery with Full Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Joseph S. Harrelson, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o the University of Baltimore, Educational Foundation in memory of Professor Joe S. Harrelson, Jr. 420 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.

HARRELSON, JOSEPH SHELTON JR

  • COL   US ARMY
  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: 05/12/1942 – 05/31/1967
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 03/24/1919
  • DATE OF DEATH: 04/17/2003
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 05/14/2003
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 66  SITE 4457
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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