HERBERT MICHAEL HART Former Director of Public Affairs for the United States Marine Corps and one of the country's leading authorities on historic American forts, retired Marine Corps Colonel Herbert M. Hart died August 3, 2015 of natural causes at his home in Frederick, MD. He was 86. He was born in Saint Louis, MO, in 1928, the son of the late Captain Herbert M. Hart, USNR, and the former Helen Quigley. He graduated from Northwestern University's Naval ROTC in Evanston, IL. He was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism in 1951. He served in Korea, where he was twice wounded, and also in the Middle East and in Vietnam. He often was assigned to duties with the Navy for a total of 17 years during his 31 years of active duty. His military awards included two Legions of Merit with combat "V," the Meritorious Service Medal, five Air Medals, two Purple Hearts, the Army Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with combat "V" and the Combat Action Ribbon. He was the author of five books: the "Old Forts" series and "Tour Guides to Old Western Forts." He was a co-founder, volunteer executive director and newsletter editor for the Council on America's Military Past, a military history-historic preservation organization. His wife, the former Teresa Keating, a retired nurse anesthetist from Fitchburg, Mass., died September 11, 2002. He is survived by his seven children Bridget (Bill) of Frederick, Md.; Erin (Tom) of Glendora, CA; Bret (Julie) of Tampa, FL.; Tracy of Sterling, VA; Megan of Fairfax, VA; Michael (Laura) of Falls Church, VA; Patrick (Kelly) of Springfield, VA, and grandchildren Patrick, Katherine, and Maura Shea; Devin, Kelsey and Sean Hart; Ryan and Kevin Lugo; Luke Hart; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Mrs. Merritt (Janet) Taylor, of Ormond Beach, FL, son-in-law Charles R. Campbell, and grandson James M. Campbell. Visiting hours are Saturday, August 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Murphy Funeral Home located at 4510 Wilson Blvd, Arlington VA, 22203. Burial with Full Military Honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a charity of your choice .Visiting hours are Saturday, August 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Murphy Funeral Home located at 4510 Wilson Blvd, Arlington VA, 22203. Burial with Full Military Honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a charity of your choice .

Published in The Washington Post on Aug. 5, 2015