South Brunswick Dedicates Street Sign To Korean War Veteran

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — A Korean War veteran who earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart now has a street sign bearing his name on the road where he lived for years.

South Brunswick dedicated Harding Court on Oct. 16 at the intersection of Old Beekman Road and Joye Lane in honor of Army Pfc. John Morgan Harding Jr., a longtime Monmouth Junction resident.

The sign is part of the township’s Veteran Street Sign Program, which adds the names of wartime veterans to secondary signs along existing municipal roads. Harding’s daughter, Tracey, nominated her father for the program.

“To Phyllis, to Tracey, to Duke and Karen, to Brian, Jack and Riley, and to the family: thank you for sharing him with this township, in uniform and out of it,” Mayor Charlie Carley said. “On behalf of South Brunswick Township, it is our honor to dedicate this sign in his memory.”

Harding was born in New Brunswick in 1932 and entered the Army on Feb. 1, 1950. During the Korean War, he served with Headquarters and Service Company, 151st Engineer Combat Battalion, carrying out combat engineering operations on the front lines. He was honorably discharged on Jan. 31, 1953.

For his service, Harding received the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and the State of New Jersey Korean War Commemorative Medal.

After the war, Harding settled on Old Beekman Road in Monmouth Junction. He was a member of the American Legion and was known for his devotion to his family, his community and his fellow service members, according to the township.

His family attended the ceremony, including his wife, Phyllis; his daughter, Tracey, and her son, Brian; and his son, John Morgan Harding III, known as “Duke,” with his wife, Karen, and daughter, Riley.

They were joined by Carley, Deputy Mayor Ken Bierman, Council members Jo Hochman, Archana “Ann” Grover and Patty Germain, Township Manager Bryan Bidlack and Deputy Township Manager Julie Trammell. Members of the VFW, the American Legion, the South Brunswick Police Department and its Honor Guard also attended, along with residents.

Public Affairs Coordinator Jennifer Poppy opened the ceremony. VFW Post Commander Scott Weyd led the Pledge of Allegiance and presented Harding’s military history, and Bierman read the council’s resolution. Tracey and Duke Harding each spoke before the family unveiled the sign.

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