Col. James Harding Recognized for Heroism, Service During Capitol Talk

HUNTINGDON (January 16) — Colonel James Harding was the object of everyone’s attention early Friday morning at the start of Tennessee Representative Brock Martin’s Capitol Talk with the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce.

Col. Harding, 91, is the 25th most-decorated U.S. personnel in American history. Friday morning, the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce presented the veteran with one more honor: the Distinguished Career and Leadership Award. The chamber body named Col. Harding as the award’s recipient in October 2025.

David Duncan, military veteran and interim superintendent at Hollow Rock-Bruceton Special School District, presented Col. Harding with the honor for his service in the United States Air Force.

Before presenting Col. Harding with his award, Duncan asked attendees, “What is a hero?”

Col. Harding’s military career began in 1956 when he entered the Air Force in Penn State University’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program. Col. Harding, also a Nittany Lion football player at the time, was selected outstanding Air Force Cadet while still in college. He went into active duty later that year and earned his wings in 1957.

Col. Harding’s active military career spanned two decades. In that time, he served two tours during the Vietnam War and flew a total of 596 missions — all in propeller aircraft. Col. Harding’s awards and decorations from the Vietnam War include the Air Force Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star and a Purple Heart with three bronze leaf clusters.

Col. Harding served as commander of Air Force Junior ROTC detachments in Florida, Hawaii, Germany, Texas and Italy. Colonel Harding retired from the junior ROTC programs in 1998 to take up citrus tree farming in Texas. He sold his Texas farm and started anew in Huntingdon in 2001.

“What makes a hero?” Duncan asked again. “It’s a combination of courage, selflessness, a strong moral compass demonstrated through voluntary actions to serve others or a greater good often despite personal risk, sacrifice or discomfort without expecting personal reward. This defines Col. James Harding.”

Col. Harding accepted the award from Duncan.

“I want to say that we’ve never lived in a place where we felt more at home than we do here in Carroll County,” Col. Harding said of him and his wife. “This is the greatest place in the world, I think, to live.”

Col. Harding thanked Duncan and the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce for the award and appreciation and credited God for his many blessings.

“When I say I’m blessed, I’m blessed because God was with me everywhere I went. He’s still with me every place I go,” said Col. Harding.

In attendance were senior high school students from Clarksburg, Hollow Rock-Bruceton, Huntingdon and West Carroll; school superintendents; local mayors; and many other local leaders.

Following Col. Harding’s recognition, Tennessee Representative and Carroll Countian Brock Martin spoke to attendees about ongoing conversations in the state’s capitol. See “Representative Brock Martin Discusses Legislative Issues, New Bills at Capitol Talk” to read more.