Ernest N. Harmon
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| Ernest Nason Harmon | |
|---|---|
| February 26, 1884 – February 13, 1979 (aged 94) | |
| Nickname | Old Gravel Voice |
| Place of birth | Lowell, Massachusetts |
| Place of death | White River Junction, Vermont |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/branch |  United States Army |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held | XXII Corps 2nd Armored Division 1st Armored Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II Invasion of Sicily |
Ernest Nason Harmon was born on 26 February 1894 in Lowell, Massachusetts, and grew up in West Newbury, Vermont. He attended Norwich University, the "Home of ROTC," for a year prior to entering the U.S. Military Academy. Following his graduation from West Point in 1917, he was commissioned in the cavalry. He commanded the 2nd Armored Division from July 1942 until 6 April 1943 when he took command of the XXII Corps. He and General George S. Patton where close friends.
His career highlights include:
Participant in the modern pentathlon at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris.
During World War II, General Harmon served as Commanding General of the 1st Armored Division in Tunisia and Italy. After the capture of Rome, he returned to the United States as a corps commander. He returned to command the 2nd Armored Division in 1944 before being named XXII Corps Commander. Among his soldiers, he was known as "Old Gravel Voice." In January 1946 he took command of the VI Corps, which became the U.S. Constabulary. He served as Commanding General of the Third United States Army from January 10, 1947, to March 14, 1947. He served as Deputy Commanding General, Army Ground Forces, from March 1947, until his retirement in March 1948.
General Harmon left the Army for Norwich University, where he served as President from 1950 to 1965. In 1955, he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Saint Michael's College, Burlington, Vermont. General Harmon died at White River Junction, Vermont, on 13 November 1979.
