Remembering Col. Myron Harrington Jr., USMC (Ret.), ‘60

February 21, 2025February 21, 2025 Alumni Featured

The Citadel is grieving the loss of an outstanding alumnus who was known for his lifetime of service to his country, state, local community and alma mater.

Col. Myron Charles Harrington Jr., USMC (Ret.), ’60, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 19.

Harrington graduated from The Citadel in 1960 with a degree in History. In addition to his service to his alma mater, Harrington served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps for 30 years. He was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism on Feb 23, 1968, while serving as commanding officer for Delta Company, First Battalion, Fifth Marines during the Battle of Hué, as part of the Tet Offensive in the Republic of Vietnam.

Col. Harrington’s other military commendations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with two Gold Stars, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” and Gold Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and Vietnamese Staff Honor Medal 1st Class. He also held numerous service and campaign medals as well as unit commendations such as the Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation (two) and Vietnam Service Medal (five campaigns).

“Col. Harrington embodied the highest ideals of honor, duty and respect – leading with valor in combat and earning the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism during the Tet Offensive,” The Citadel President Gen. Glenn Walters, USMC (Ret.), ’79, wrote in a message to the college. “As a fellow Marine, I deeply respect Col Harrington’s legacy of selfless service, and I know his spirit continues to inspire generations of cadets and leaders everywhere.”

Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, Harrington worked in independent school education, becoming the headmaster for Trident Academy in Mt. Pleasant. He also served as past vice president and headmaster for the South Carolina Independent School Association, and past president of the Palmetto Association of Independent Schools.

Harrington served The Citadel in several capacities for decades, including on the Board of Visitors as secretary, general board member, vice chair and chair.

“It was an honor to know Col. Harrington and to serve with him on the Board of Visitors,” said Col. Greg Delleney, ’74, chair of The Citadel Board of Visitors. “He was a highly decorated leader of men in battle and a national hero. Yet he was a humble man who cared deeply for his family, his country and his college.”

In October 2021, Harrington’s portrait in The Citadel’s Distinguished Alumni gallery was unveiled, honoring his lifetime of service to both the college and the nation. The Distinguished Citadel Alumni List is an extremely prestigious award, reserved for a very select group of alumni who have demonstrated extraordinary achievement as a single act, or the cumulative effect of a series of significant acts over time, or having held a nationally, regionally, or locally recognizable and prominent position of unique and great responsibility.

Harrington was awarded an honorary degree from The Citadel in 2023 in recognition of his service and his exemplary character and consistent demonstration of service, leadership and commitment to the college. For this, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Leadership degree. Harrington is a recipient of the Order of the Palmetto from the state of South Carolina and the Palmetto Medal from The Citadel and was named a Distinguished Alumnus by The Citadel Alumni Association. In 2019, he was given the Krause Center Award for Distinguished Service, Leadership and Ethics.

While his life was full of accolades and honors, Harrington remained a humble leader. He embodied the values of a principled leader and served as a role model to all who interacted with him. His presence will be greatly missed by The Citadel community.