The George W. Harms collection has been arranged into four series: Biographical; Topical Files; American Legion Post No. 46; and Visual Materials. Most of the collection relates to his activities with the Ann Arbor American Legion post and with veterans affairs in general. Post No. 46 materials includes minutes, correspondence, a scrapbook, and some newspaper clippings dating from 1968 to 1988. The issues of concern to veterans and to Harms included government policies and procedures concerning soldiers listed as missing in action and relationships with their families, Veterans Administration policies toward disabled soldiers, veterans' benefits for survivors of soldiers killed in action, and anti-war protests in Ann Arbor in the 1960s.
George W. Harms was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 6, 1921. In 1943 he received his AB from the University of Michigan. While in college, Harms was a catcher for the University of Michigan varsity baseball team, 1940-1942, serving as captain in 1942. He was also a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, 1940-1943, serving as president in 1942.
Following college, Harms began active service with the United States Marine Corps. He served from 1943 until his honorable discharge with the rank of Sergeant in 1946. He was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for valor. In 1955, Harms was classified as a Disabled Combat Veteran.
A member of numerous community service and veteran organizations, Harms founded the Washtenaw County Detachment of the Marine Corps League in 1975 and co-founded the Military Order of the Purple Heart in 1982. He has been particularly active with the American Legion Post No. 46 (Ann Arbor) since 1965, serving as post commander in 1966.
Harms died June 30, 1993.
