California State Military Department
The California State Military Museum
Preserving California's Military Heritage
Californians and the Military
Major General Harcourt Hervey
California National Guard
By Warrant Officer 1 Mark J. Denger
California Center for Military History
 
Harcourt Hervey, the son of Edward King Blades and Browning (Clark) Hervey, was born on September 2, 1892, in Los Angeles, graduating from the Los Angeles High School. Graduated from the University of California, 1916, and married Miss Ruth Brown on June 18, 1917. Appointed second lieutenant, Field Artillery, Regular Army, Nov. 29, 1916. He went to France with the First Division, Allied Expeditionary Forces and served through all the engagements of that unit during World War I, being promoted to captain and major, Fifth Field Artillery. At the age of 26 he was named lieutenant-colonel. He commanded the First Ammunition trains, the Sixth Field Artillery and then the Fifth Field Artillery. He resigned from the service in 1920, returning to Los Angeles. He received a number of citations for meritorious service from General Pershing, as well as divisional, brigade and regimental citations. For his work in the Soissons offensive he received the Croix de Guerre.

Returning to civilian life, he was a real estate officer in the trust department of the Pacific Southwest Trust and Savings Bank, of which his father, former Judge Hervey, was executive vice-president; a position he would one day hold with Security First National Bank of Los Angeles.

He entered the California National Guard in 1922 where his connection with the 160th Infantry, known as "Los Angeles' Own," began. He was appointed lieutenant colonel and advanced to the rank of Major General. During World War II he saw overseas duty, 1942-45, and was awarded the Purple Heart, Medal of Merit (State of California), Philippine Liberation Medal, Bronze Star (2 awards), and the Fouragerre of Crox de Guerre.

He was a member of Psi Upsilon, American Legion, and was a Mason (Scottish Rite). He was a member and served as Marshall of the Sons of the Revolution in the State of California by virtue of his great-great grandfather, William King, who served as a private in both the New Jersey Militia and Continental Line during the Revolution. His son, Harcourt Hervey, Jr., also a member of the Sons of the Revolution, was a Mortgage Loan Officer and Lieut. Colonel (Ret.).
 
 
 
 

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