About the Firm - Bio of J. Anderson (Andy) Harp

Early Life

J. Anderson (Andy) Harp was born on the banks of the Mississippi River in the town of Helena, Arkansas.  As a youth, his parents moved the family to rural southern New Jersey where he graduated from Vineland High School in 1969. 

 

While at VHS, he became a high school track star which led to an athletic scholarship to American University in Washington, D.C., and his participation in, among many others, running at Madison Square Gardens for the U.S. Olympic Invitational. 

 

He graduated from American in 1973.  He graduated from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law in 1980.

 

Marine Corps

After American and before law school, he signed up with the United States Marine Corps.  As a young officer, he served with both the artillery and a small mountain warfare, arctic instructor survival group.  He was a Regimental Battery Commander with the 11th Marines. 

 

He became Instructor in Charge of the Instructor Group at Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, California.  He also trained in the arctic circle and at Fort Greely, Alaska, where a typical day was -44 below zero. 

 

While in the arctic and at Bridgeport, he lived in ice caves, rappelled off of cliffs and out of helicopters, climbed cliffs, taught military cross country skiing, and taught both mountain and cold weather survival.

 

Post Law School & Pentagon

Upon graduation from law school, Andy started off as a District Attorney in Cordele, Georgia.  At the same time he continued his Marine Corps career in the Reserves.  He rose up through the ranks to the rank of Colonel.  He served in many billets and locations around the world.

 

As a logistics officer, he served in South Korea and once briefed the Commandant of the Republic of Korea’s Marine Corps.  He also served in Central America, the Persian Gulf, Europe and the Pentagon. 

 

While at the Pentagon, Andy served in the Secretary of Defense’s Executive Support Center and with Reserve Affairs.  In his final billet before retiring, he served as the Officer in Charge of the Crisis Action Team for Marine Forces Central Command and Marine Forces Pacific.  Andy was mobilized for Operation Enduring Freedom. 

 

In 1997, Andy was elected National President of the Marine Corps Reserve Officer’s Association.  His decorations include, among others, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal. 

 

Andy has lived in the Columbus, Georgia area for more than 30 years.  He is married to Jane Harp and has four children.