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Recognizing John Morgan Harding Jr.
For His Service to Our Country Ensuring Freedom for All (copy2)
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WHEREAS, the Township of South Brunswick’s Veteran Street Sign Program proudly honors Township residents who served as Wartime Veterans by inscribing their names on secondary street signs along existing municipal roads, so that their sacrifice and courage may inspire future generations and ensure that the selfless service these men and women rendered to our Country shall never be forgotten; and
WHEREAS, eligible candidates for this distinguished honor include honorably discharged Veterans who answered their Nation’s call and served in the United States Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard; and
WHEREAS, Wartime Veterans are those who served in the active military forces during a period of armed conflict, or who earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary or other campaign service medals during an emergency condition, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty; and
WHEREAS, John Morgan Harding Jr. has been selected to receive this proud and lasting tribute through the Township’s Veteran Street Sign Program; and
WHEREAS, John Morgan Harding Jr. was born in 1932, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He answered his Nation's call to service by entering the United States Army on February 1, 1950, in Newark, New Jersey, serving during the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, Private First Class John Morgan Harding Jr. served with distinction in Headquarters & Service Company, 151st Engineer Combat Battalion, carrying out vital duties during active operations in the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, for his exemplary and faithful service, Private First Class Harding was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, United Nations Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Badge, and the State of New Jersey Korean War Commemorative Medal, and was honorably discharged January 31, 1953; and
WHEREAS, following his military service, John Morgan Harding Jr. became a long-time resident of the Township of South Brunswick, residing in the Monmouth Junction section of the Township, on Old Beekman Road, where his wife continues to live today; and
WHEREAS, John Morgan Harding Jr. was a devoted husband and father whose memory is cherished by his beloved wife, Phyllis Harding, his daughter, Tracey Harding, and his family, friends, and neighbors, leaving behind a proud legacy of selfless service and civic commitment; and
WHEREAS, John Morgan Harding Jr. demonstrated a lifelong commitment to his country, his township, and his family, leaving behind a proud legacy of service, civic dedication, and personal integrity; and
NOW, THEREFORE, WE, the Mayor and Township Council of South Brunswick, County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey, DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE John Morgan Harding Jr. for his distinguished and selfless service to our Country; direct that a commemorative street sign designating "Harding Court" (inscribed as "Harding Ct") be installed at the intersection of Old Beekman Road and Joye Lane pursuant to the Veteran Street Sign Program; and call upon all residents of South Brunswick to join us in honoring this proud American-whose courage and dedication helped protect the blessings of freedom for all- with this tribute accepted on his behalf by his family.