Harold graduated from Lucy C. Laney High School in Augusta Georgia. He joined the United States Navy in 1951, and retired after 27 years in 1978, attaining the rank of Commissioned Warrant Office 4 (CWO4) Boatswain (Bo'sun). He served with the United States Navy in Korea and with the United States Navy and United States Army in Vietnam. He also attended Penn State University. He was a member of State College Elks Lodge 1600, where he served two terms as Exalted Ruler. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 245 in State College, Pa.
