Col. Richard D. Harwood

The Greatest Generation: Career Military Hero Passes -Father, Grandfather, Great-grandfather
Colonel Richard D. Harwood, U.S. Army, Ret., passed away at 12:24 pm. on August 29, 2013, after a long battle with cancer. The youngest of nine children, Dick, was born in Crawfordsville, IN, on December 9, 1921. In 1940 his US Army enlistment brought him to Gulfport where he met the love of his life, Grace Giuffria Famularo. They married in June of 1942.
Soon after the marriage, he left for the North African and Italian campaigns as a Second Lieutenant with the 88th Blue Devils, the first all draftee division of World War II. The well documented heroism of this division led to the prestigious Presidential Unit Citation for the 2d Battalion, 350 Infantry Regiment, where he served as CO of Company E and briefly served as Battalion CO. As General George C. Marshall stated ""Though Fighting under the most adverse battle conditions, the officers and men of this battalion displayed an indomitable spirit that refused to waver under the fiercest enemy attacks. The outstanding fighting ability and magnificent courage displayed. . . are exemplary of the finest traditions of the Army of the United States."" The citation was awarded for a two week battle against the Germans over Mt. Battaglia, Italy, where he was the only officer not wounded or killed.
For his gallantry in combat he was awarded the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters(V) and a battle field promotion to Captain. Over a career that spanned almost thirty three years and took him to various commands throughout the US, Europe and Asia, he achieved the rank of Colonel. In addition he graduated from the University of Nebraska and the prestigious US Army War College during his service to this nation.
Following his retirement in 1971, he lived briefly in Memphis, TN, before settling in Gulfport in 1978. Over his retirement he enjoyed fishing and golf always leading his life according to the ideals forged as a career military officer -belief in Truth, Honor and the American Way.
He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 68 years; his parents, John Hunt Harwood and Florence Anna Weikel of Crawfordsville, IN; his eight siblings and one grandchild, Richard Harwood Painter. He leaves behind three children, Roseann Painter and Silvia Skinner, both of Memphis, TN, and Robert Paul Harwood, of San Antonio, TX; six grandchildren, Max W. Painter, Laura Painter Stafford, Ellis Skinner, Kelly Skinner Stacey, Claire Harwood Blanchard and Patrick Harwood and nine great grandchildren.
Graveside services with full military honors will be held at Evergreen Cemetery on Tuesday, September 3 at 10 am.
The family asks that memorial donations be made in his name to the Methodist Hospice in care of Methodist Healthcare Foundation, PO Box 42048, Memphis, TN 38174-2048 or email: secureforms.methodisthealth.org/apps-methodist/donation.
The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Gulfport, is in charge of arrangements and an online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com