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Born on October 1936 in Selma, Alabama, Ernest James Harrell went from being a former high school dropout to becoming Commanding General of Europe division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

= Life =

Early Life and Education
Ernest James Harrell was born on October 1936 to William and Arrilla Harrell. Harrell had two sisters and one brother.

Academic Career
Harwell attended high school, in his native city Selma, Alabama, but dropped out to serve a few more years of military service, which was already mandatory for him at the time in the U.S., at Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University, Alabama. At Tuskegee, Harrell states that he initially looked for the least demanding courses and declared himself an interior decorating major. But after his freshman year, and with the help and support from his fraternity brothers from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Sigma Pi Phi (Bolulé), he switched to building construction after realising there were few opportunities in his initial decision. Harrell claims he never regretted his decision.

Travels
Ernest J. Harrell travelled all around the globe, most of the time due to military service. He served in the Vietnam War during the mid-70s. He was later stationed in other Asian countries for another couple of years. Some of these places included: Thailand, Okinawa (Japan) and South Korea. He then served in Germany (West Germany at the time) during the late 80´s before the fall of the Berlin Wall in June 13, 1990.

Personal Life
Ernest J. Harrell was married to Paola Harrell for 53 years and had a son; Ernest III Harrell and a daughter; Jolene (Demetrius) Hamm. “Ernie”, as he was known by friends and acquaintances, was an avid golfer and enjoyed being a member and resident of the Omni Tucson National Resort and Golf Club. He participated in many competitive and charity golf events over the years.

=Engineering & Military Career=

After graduating in 1960 at Tuskegee Institute (University), Harrell earned a Master of Science in Engineering from Arizona State University. He then consequently joined the ACE (American Council on Education), as a ¨natural progression¨. After that he also spent some time as an instructor and then assistant professor of military science in Arizona State university in Tempe. A couple of years after he enrolled as a student at the university to earn his master´s in engineering.

During his command with the Ohio River division he developed a keen and advanced (for his time) interest for the environment: “In the past, engineers would build any damn thing and it was left to lawyers and environmentalist, even to a great degree of pain to the engineering profession, to keep the balance. We are beginning to become concerned, but we need to do much better”.

He later completed the National and International Security Management Program at John F. Kennedy School of Government in the early 70s. His last assignment, as Commanding General of the Army Corps' North Pacific Division, was based in Portland, Oregon during the early 90s. In 1998, he was hired by the City of St. Louis as the President of the Board of Public Services. He oversaw the contracts for renovations to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. After completing his tenure with the City of St. Louis, he retired to Tucson, Arizona.

Achievements
At age 52, Harrell´s division of military engineers was responsible for more than $558 million in construction work in Europe in the 1980´s.

=Awards & Honours=

Many other service and campaign awards were granted to him during his military service for the U.S.
 * The Distinguished Service Medal
 * Bronze Star Medal
 * Two Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
 * Three Vietnam Service Medals

=Death=

Major General Ernest James Harrell, US Army (Retired), age 78, passed away on March 31, 2015 at Tucson, Arizona. A Memorial Service was held at Omni Tucson National Resort on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. Ernest James Harrel was interred at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honours on August 18, 2015.

=See Also=
 * Tuskegee, Alabama
 * Tuskegee University
 * Vietnam War

=External Links=