Born in Detroit, in 1910, the married, father of two, was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1944. His younger brother was killed in action in the Mediterranean, the previous summer. 

Harold took his training at the Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois and was assigned to the US Pacific Fleet. As a radarman on a Landing Ship - Medium (LSM), an open-well amphibious assault ship, he saw action in the Battle of Okinawa. The US fleet suffered more kamikaze attacks at Okinawa than in any other battle in the war.

After the war, Harold returned home, a veteran proud of his naval service.