Harley REYNOLDS Obituary
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STEVEN ANTUNEZ
September 30, 2025
I've seen Harley on several programs about D-day. Besides that battle was his time in the Hurtgen Forest. My prayers to his family and to Harley. May he rest in peace...
Colin New
June 9, 2024
I MET MR REYNOLDS IN NORMANDY,WHEN HE WAS SHOWING HIS BOOK WHICH I PURCHASED.HE TOOK THE TIME TO TALK TO ME ABOUT MY FATHER THAT LANDED ON D DAY.I STILL HAVE THAT SIGNED BOOK WHICH I WILL TREASURE.RIP MR HARLEY REYNOLDS,A TRUE AWESOME HERO.
Ben Washburn
June 6, 2023
I met Harley as a soldier with the 1st Infantry Division in 2008. Words cannot suffice to explain the honor it was to meet this man. As we recognize today, June 6, my thoughts are with Harley and his comrades who were the bravest of the brave that day. Heroes, all.
Until Valhalla, warrior. You make me proud to be an American and a U.S. Army veteran.
Tim Mardon
August 1, 2022
Well i have just watched , Normandy Revisited and payed great attention to Harley. I am an ex W.O. British Cavalry and i could instantly see this was a great character and good soldier. When i read above that he got into trouble for letting his soldiers have some beers to celebrate the end of the war it just meant so much to me. I would have loved to have met him. RIP H.
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Greg Heerkens
July 21, 2021
I first spoke to Mr. Reynolds as I was doing research into the 16th ID about a late family member who was in another company. Harley immediately recognized the name, and we got to talking about the world, his time in the war, and my family. I mentioned trying to find his book, and he instantly and selflessly offered one of his last remaining copies - signed by the author, no less.
I devoured the book, and spoke to Harley twice more over the phone about the details in it. I grew up listening to war stories, and to hear his recounting of events felt like being a kid again. I hoped that my happiness and gratitude would make it over the wire.
I have been unsure of what to write here since his passing, so I will say only that I feel privileged to have met and spoke with this great man.
James Wilkinson
May 4, 2021
I met Harley in 2009 in Normandy and sat and chatted about that Omaha beach landing. He was a real gentleman and was more insistent in telling the stories of other brave men than his own. I was honoured to spend time with him. I promised to do his portrait which I did, but alas he was already in a nursing home and despite efforts, I was unable to contact him to deliver the portrait. He was.a true true hero. Thank you Harley.
David Zelden
January 14, 2021
The bugle sounds its horn in heaven for the passing of a dear friend and decorated Second World War veteran Staff. Sgt. Harley A. Reynolds of the 16 RCT, 1st Infantry Division.
Over a 15 year period, my visits to Normandy would culminate at Omaha Beach where ceremoniously marking the story of a friend whose life was immeasurably altered. The first man through the barbed wire at E1 Exit, Easy Red Sector, on D-Day, he lead his squad to the top of the bluffs and beyond. A survivor of the little-known battle at Hill 523 in April 1943 North Africa, he would watch at Patton's side his tanks battle the Germans, later to be one of 43 men of 1st Battalion to evade capture.
Harley's unwavering pursuit correcting historical records of his unit's engagements was a tireless effort. His three Bronze Arrowheads earned as a first wave unit during the invasions of North Africa, Sicily and Omaha Beach, Normandy, the pinnacle of bravery.
Harley was a student of history, his devotion to truth, his loyalty to his unit and his patriotic selflessness would guide him. We would spend countless hours over a 15 year friendship as he would narrate his experiences in footsteps. Meeting many occasions in Normandy during the French marking of liberation, we would attend ceremonies together at Colleville-sur-Mer and Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, where in 2011 Harley would receive his Légion d'honneur to his unit's color guard and officials of the local governments. Cold beer and friends would greet him at the D-Day House.
To know Harley would prove a lesson in generosity, compassion, humanity, duty and courage. It's a challenge to put in words the memories of those days in the late spring sun to the energy, crowds and ceremony of Normandy in June, those days forever living as a reminder of lives lived and respect for sacrifice.
Harley passed the morning of December 21 at Bay Pines Veterans' Hospital. We last spoke December 4th from his hospital bed to plans of overcoming his ailment. "Next time".
You'll always be in our hearts. Rest in Peace Harley.
JAMOIS Christophe
January 5, 2021
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Miss Ginette Bernier
January 5, 2021
At the time of the D-Day Commemmorations in Normandy, France, and through the friendship of Margaret and Jean Heesen-Schoch, I had the great pleasure to meet the Veteran Harley Reynolds. It was an honor to speak with him and thank him for his part and the part of his compatriots in the Liberation of France and Europe. I am so sad to hear of his death and I join all in the sorrow we feel and send my sincere sympathy. I will NEVER FORGET Mr. Harley Reynolds and the American Veterans. sincere condolences and R.I.P. Mr. Reynolds.
anthony jones
January 4, 2021
God bless you Harley.
JW/JKH
January 1, 2021
My deepest sympathy to the Reynolds Family for the loss of your loved one, Harley, and pray God gives you comfort, peace and strength.
Rod Stearns
December 31, 2020
I enjoyed his book describing his role in various D-Day invasions. My Dad was with him at the Sicily invasion on 7-9-1943. My deepest appreciation for service to our country and my sympathies to hi family.
John Hohman
December 31, 2020
Harley always was a great friend and loved his stories. We both served in the infantry, but in different wars. Will miss my phone calls with him and visits.
John Hohman
December 31, 2020
John Hohman
December 31, 2020
Margaret Heesen-Schoch
December 30, 2020
Margaret Heesen-Schoch
December 30, 2020
Margaret Heesen-Schoch
December 30, 2020
Margaret Heesen-Schoch
December 30, 2020
Margaret Heesen-Schoch
December 30, 2020
Dr. Daniel Huber
December 30, 2020
The pride I felt every time my office manager told me Harley was on the phone wanting an appointment. To be in a treatment room alone with him was such an honor knowing I was with a true American hero. As a former Marine and one of his Doc's , I was extremely proud to share a little of his life. We worked together following my graduation and awaiting the Fl. boards at mod.tool,&dye. SEMPER FIDELIS,Harley!
December 29, 2020
Rest In Peace, Warrior. You are not forgotten.
Semper Paratus
José E. Pernía
CPT, IN
Commanding
John Hohman
December 29, 2020
Rest in peace my friend, hand salute....
Hottiaux Sylvain
December 29, 2020
We will never forget Harley. He was a great man, a great soldier, a friend.
Sylvain, French representative of the 16th Infantry Regiment Historical Society.
Margaret Heesen-Schoch
December 28, 2020
Rosa E. Spivey
December 27, 2020
It was a honor to get to know you and see you as family.
Margaret Heesen-Schoch
December 27, 2020
Many people in Normandy, France, are saddened by the news of the death of Harley Reynolds. On behalf of them all I am writing to express our gratitude to him for all he did for our present freedom and for the sacrifices he made in his youth. He always said, "don't thank me, I didn't have a choice!"...but we all know he was not alone there and thank him anyway. He touched so many peoples' lives here in France and we are sure elsewhere, and we feel priviliged to have met him and spent time with him. His stories about his experiences in the North African (Operaton Torch) and Sicilian Campaigns (Operation Husky) are chilling, but what he faced in Normandy brought his sacrifice to the harsh reality it was, that ominous morning on Omaha Beach, June 6, 1944. We have missed his presence for the last 9 years at the D-Day Commemmoration ceremonies, but continue to carry on his memory and those of his comrades of the 1st Infantry Division, the Big Red One. Harley claimed to be "just a boot on the ground"...but he was so much more than that to all of us here in France. We thank him again for all his visits to Normandy and his sharing spirit for the memories of WWII and the Big Red One. 'NO TASK TOO DIFFICULT; NO SACRIFICE TOO GREAT. DUTY FIRST.' R.I.P. dear Harley
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