Military Profile: Major General Edwin "Forrest" Harding within The Harding Project, Army Edition
Major General Edwin "Forrest" Harding, a prominent figure in the U.S. Army, made significant contributions during the interwar period and the World War II era. Born and raised in Franklin, Ohio, Harding's legacy continues to influence Army professional development today.
During the interwar years, Harding played a crucial role in shaping the Army's education and preparedness. He was tasked with revitalizing the Infantry Journal, the semiofficial magazine of the Infantry and the Army, by Major General Edward Croft. Under his leadership, the journal underwent a transformation, becoming a must-read for military professionals with a lively new cover, contributions from renowned military thinkers, and a focus on progressive thought.
In addition, Harding edited "Infantry in Battle", a textbook that featured numerous historical examples to acquaint the reader with the realities of war. The Mailing List, another publication under his leadership, published personal narratives, mostly from World War I, to help soldiers understand infantry combat. Subscriptions to the Infantry Journal surged to nearly ten thousand within four years under Harding's leadership.
Harding's leadership extended beyond the pages of the Infantry Journal. As a commander of the 32nd Infantry Division, he led his troops during the Battle of Buna, a critical node for air attacks in the Papua New Guinea campaign. However, the battle took a heavy toll on Harding's troops, with malaria, malnourishment, long marches through swamps, poor supply, and Japanese fire weakening the attacking division and other troops.
Lt. General Robert L. Eichelberger inspected the situation during the Battle of Buna and found the division combat ineffective, relieving Harding two weeks after the battle began. Despite the relief, Eichelberger eventually captured Buna, but it took several weeks and came at great loss of life.
Harding's military career began early, with service in the Philippines and on the Mexican border as a lieutenant. He also served as a mentor and teacher to many, including George C. Marshall and Omar Bradley.
Despite the limited information available on Harding's specific contributions during the interwar period, his legacy is evident in the named fellowship program in the Army today, the Major General Edwin “Forrest” Harding Fellowship, which supports career opportunities for active component captains. For a fuller account of his biography and contributions, especially focusing on his impact during the interwar period, military historical archives or specialized biographical resources on U.S. Army general officers might be necessary.
- Major General Edwin "Forrest" Harding, during the interwar years, significantly contributed to military education by revitalizing the Infantry Journal, a semiofficial military magazine.
- Harding's leadership in military education extended to editing "Infantry in Battle", a textbook that focused on historical examples of warfare.
- Beyond his role in military education, Harding demonstrated leadership in warfare as a commander of the 32nd Infantry Division during the Battle of Buna.
- Today, the Major General Edwin “Forrest” Harding Fellowship, a named fellowship program in the Army, continues to honor his legacy by supporting career opportunities in defense and leadership, bridging the gap between military and business finance.
