The Honourable Douglas Scott Harkness, PC., O.C., G.M., E.D., LL.D., B.A.
Doug Harkness is probably best known for his distinguished career in federal politics; however, his portrait is in this book primarily because he is one of Calgary's genuine war heroes.
He was born in Toronto on March 29, 1903, but attended high school in Calgary and university in Edmonton.
Mr. Harkness began his military career while in high school, progressed through the Canadian Officer Training Corps and received his commission while in the militia. He was mobilized into the Canadian Army (Regular) in 1939 and proceeded overseas in 1940.
Mr. Harkness received one of the the highest military honours, the George Medal for "courage, gallantry and devotion to duty of a higher order" while officer commanding troops during the Sicilian campaign.
In 1945, Mr. Harkness was elected to the House of Commons representing Calgary East. He was elected to represent a Calgary constituency in nine succeeding elections, the last in 1968. He held cabinet portfolios of Minister of Northern Affairs and Natural Resources, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of National Defence.