Harry James Mott III

Brigadier General Harry J Mott, III was born in Newark, NJ on May 5th, 1929. He passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones on April 16, 2023. He leaves behind his loving wife of 71 years, Mary and 5 children: Harry and Nan Mott, Mary Ellen and Frederic Goebel, MSG (Ret) Jeffrey and Beatrice Mott, Susan P and Mark Stuart, James and Susan Mott, Maureen Mott, and brother Roger and his wife Kathleen, and his brother-in-law, Charles Rush. He is predeceased by his three sisters: Kay and her husband Joseph Egitton, Diane Rush, and Janice and her husband Tom Williams.

He is the beloved grandfather of 13: Kimberly and Matthew Sterner, Bryan and Shannon Goebel, Melissa and Garfield Benjamin, Cameron Mott, Alexandra and Ian Walker, Shamus Mott, Christopher and Vanna Mott, Patrick Mott, Cpt. Zachary Stuart, PFC Andrew Stuart, Emma Mott, Stephanie Mott, and Aidan Stuart; along with 4 Great-Grandchildren: Madison Sterner, Jacob Sterner, Caleb Benjamin, Maximilian Walker, while we await the imminent arrival of a fifth. Harry was a devoted uncle, brother-in-law, cousin, and friend to a very large extended family and community.

Harry was the living example of his main philosophies in life: God, Family, Country, and Twice the Citizen, which is the slogan for the Army Reserve that he helped the organization to adopt. He was an Eagle Scout, who was also a Merit Badge Counselor.

Brigadier General Harry J Mott, III was a proud member of three branches of the US Military. The Naval Reserve, the Navy while attending the US Naval Academy, and enlisting in the Army. Harry served our country for more than 40 years, 35 of which were active commissioned service until his retirement from active-duty August 5th, 1987.

Harry enlisted in the USNR in 1947. Appointed to USNA 1949 as a member of 4th Co. He bilged out Feb51 and enlisted in the US Army in Jun51. Harry completed his basic training at Fort Dix, NJ and was soon promoted to sergeant. Harry had applied to and was accepted into Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon graduation in May52 Harry was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant Infantry. He married Mary Graney Jun52. Attended Airborne Jump School and the Jumpmaster Course at Fort Benning. His first assignment was as a platoon leader of M Company, 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, at Fort Dix in July52.

He was shipped off to Korea Dec52 where he joined his new unit, 3rd. Platoon, Heavy Mortar Company, 27th Infantry Regiment (Wolfhounds), 25th Infantry Division in the Kumwah Valley. He participated in Operation Big Switch.

After returning from active duty in Korea Dec53, Harry left active-duty and joined the Army Reserve Training Division while he completed his degree in economics at Adelphi University. While in the Army Reserve, Harry was employed by Dun-Donnelly and Dunn and Bradstreet for 30 years. He held various positions in these companies including vice president and director of personnel. Harry was also loaned to the City of New York to help with various projects.

Harry advanced to the rank of Captain while serving with the 1329th Infantry Division (Training). He assumed the command of the Headquarters Company of 77th Infantry Division and was promoted to Major in 1965. Jan66, he became the assistant information officer for the 356th Civil Affairs Brigade. Harry completed his Infantry Officer Course (Nonresident) and Civil Affairs Officer Career Course (Nonresident) in 1968. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in1969. Harry completed the Command and General Staff (Nonresident) in 1973. In 1977 Harry assumed command of the 356th Civil Affairs Brigade and graduated from the Army War College (Nonresident). In 1978 he became Deputy Commander of the 353 Civil Affairs Command followed by command of the 800th Military Police Group in 1979. In 1981 Harry assumed command of the 353 Civil Affairs Command and received his promotion to Brigadier General on August 5th, 1982.

Returning to Active Duty Mar83, General Harry J Mott, III took office as the Deputy Chief of the Army Reserve. He worked to promote improved marksmanship in the Army Reserve by establishing a cost-effective air gun program in reserve centers. In Aug86 General Mott assumed the duties of the Acting Chief of the Army Reserve and following the appointment of Major General William F. Ward to Chief of the Army Reserve, General Mott resumed his duties as Deputy Chief of the Army Reserve until July 31, 1987. General Mott retired from active-duty August 5th, 1987.

After his retirement, Harry was the Exec. VP and Director of the Soldier, Sailors, Marines & Airmen’s Club in NYC from 1989 to 1994 and was a member of the Reserve Officers Association. He also served on the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice.

During his military career he worked his way up from boatswain’s striker E-1, midshipman, and private first class to Brigadier General and Chief of the Army Reserve.

His awards and decorations include Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Service Medal w/2 Service Stars, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/2 Ten-Year Devices, Army Service Ribbon, United Nations Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, Korean Presidential Unit Citation.

Harry was also an advocate to promote Army Reserve marksmanship and was honored by the creation of the annual BG Harry J. Mott, III Shooter’s Trophy.

Other honors include Order of Military Merit, member of Inf. OCS Hall of Fame, member of Sergeants Major Academy Gallery of Honors.

Military schools attended include Basic Airborne Course, Jumpmaster School, Infantry Officer Career Course, Civil Affairs Officer Career Course, Command and General Staff College, U.S. Army War College, Senior Officer’s Preventive Logistics Course, Military Police Officer Career Course, Psychological Operations Officer Course.

Civilian Education includes: 1-1/2 years, US Naval Academy, Marine Engineering; 2 years, NY Adelphi University, Business Economics with a BS (Economics); NY University, Graduate School of Public Administration; Foreign Service Institute, Advanced Studies in African Affairs.

Harry enjoyed photography and has won a few awards for his work, camping, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family and friends. Harry always loved telling a good story. Each one of us, whether family, friend, employee, or member of the services has a story to share about this unique man. Think of him and enjoy telling your Harry story. He’d like that.

He will be greatly missed by all who know and love him.

Please honor his memory by contributing in his name to the Wounded Warriors’ Fund:

Wounded Warrior Project

PO Box 758517

Topeka, KS 66675

www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Required Memorial Information:

The bottom of our donation form (online and print) allows the donor to enter the necessary information so that we may track all the donations.

Online Form: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=72&source=WEBSITE