Mr. Harold Chester Mason

harold mason

HAROLD CHESTER MASON

April 15, 1924 ~ October 6, 2023

Born in: Hartford, CT

Resided in: Whitney Point, NY

Harold Chester Mason, 99, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 6, 2023 in Whitney Point, New York, where he lived with his son, Jeffrey and daughter-in-law, Marilyn. He was the son of Louis T Mason and Ruby (Mathews) Mason and grew up in Wethersfield, CT. Harold served in WW II where he was among the early wave of troops landing on Omaha Beach. He was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism in a zone of military operations. He continued his military service with the U. S. Army Reserves, where he served with the Military Intelligence Branch, retiring with the rank of Lt Col. Following his active military service, Harold attended Trinity University majoring in psychology and education. During this time he also was a Congressional secretary to Representative William T. Miller of Connecticut.

Harold joined the CIA where he served as an operations officer and senior advisor of training, including tours in Vietnam and Laos. He also was the liaison officer for all branches of the military services and various government agencies for training and briefing senior military and civilian officials being assigned to Southeast Asia. After leaving the CIA, he served as chief for the Army Program on Declassification at the National Archives, where he oversaw the declassification of several high-profile cases of international interest. Harold completed his government career as a security analyst in the Interagency Classification Review Committee.

Following his retirement, Harold was an active member of the Vienna Presbyterian Church and the Shepard’s Center of Oakton-Vienna. He gave selflessly of his time including teaching English as a Second Language, volunteering as a medical and companion driver, serving as a church usher, organizing fundraisers, and contributing to many other civic and charitable activities.

Harold was predeceased by his wife, Pauline June Mason, and is survived by his son, daughter-in-law, sister Beverly Plucker, sister-in-law Dorothy Giffin, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. Please check this obituary for updates.

Services

Service: June 26, 2024 11:00 am

Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel
204 Lee Ave
Fort Myer, VA 22211

703-696-3128

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