When he entered the military in 1956, Col. James C. Harding (USAF, Ret.) could not have imagined he would accomplish over 5,000 hours of military single-engine flying time, become a master parachutist with 69 jumps, complete 22 assignments, receive six promotions and ultimately become the 25th most-decorated veteran in American military history.
As a distinguished graduate of Penn State University’s Reserve Officer Training Corps, Colonel Harding served as the cadet division commander and was selected as the outstanding Air Force ROTC cadet.
His military career covered a variety of flying assignments as well as command positions. He served as squadron commander for a 400-person unit at Lackland AFB, and as an A-1 combat squadron commander at Nakhon Phanom, Thailand.
The Vietnam War raged in Southeast Asia in the 1960s, and that’s where the Pennsylvania native served two tours of duty, flying hundreds of missions to rescue downed American airmen. He was wounded numerous times.
Colonel Harding’s awards and decorations from the conflict include the Air Force Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, and a Purple Heart with three bronze leaf clusters.
“Being among the Top 25 most-decorated heroes doesn’t mean as much as getting to serve my country,” said Colonel Harding on Tuesday, as the Huntington, Tennessee, resident was in Jackson to be a guest on the afternoon talk show “The Frankie Lax Show,” which airs on SuperTalk 93.1 FM. “I gave up a lot of things to join the military, and now I just serve God anyway that I can.”
Colonel Harding retired from active duty in 1979, and entered a general aviation post at Nueces County Airport in Robstown, Texas. In 1980, he got involved in the Air Force Junior ROTC program, where he was instrumental in organizing and implementing programs in the United States, as well as at Department of Defense schools overseas.
In 1998, Colonel Harding left the Air Force Junior ROTC program to take up citrus tree farming in Bayview, Texas. He remained there until 2001, when he then moved to Huntingdon and started another tree farm, and became a substitute teacher.
At 88, Colonel Harding remains involved through his participation as the National Spokesperson for Veteran Defenders of America, leading a monthly “Prayer on the Square” at the Carroll County courthouse. He’s also active in 20 national service organizations as a lifetime member.
“It is very humbling to know that there are still people out there who are willing to give their lives for American citizens and for our country,” said “Airborne” Bob Delgiorno, co-host of “The Frankie Lax Show” and a retired Army captain. “I was truly honored to be in his presence.”
Colonel Harding and Frankie Lax have been friends throughout the years. He has committed to regularly appear on Lax’s conservative talk radio show.
“Colonel Harding has served this country well, and he’s a good man,” Lax said. “He does really good on the radio. He takes calls, and even in his later years he is about saving this country and is concerned about what’s going on.”
When looking back at his list of accolades, the humble hero says that getting to serve this country is his greatest honor.
