Kenneth registered for the draft in Washington county, PA and upon discharge his draft record was annotated to show he was released on 21 August 1945.

He enlisted in the Army at Fort Thomas, Newport, KY on 5 September 1940.

On 16 October 1942, Sgt Harshman was amongst the cadre team transferred from the 507th PIR to kickstart the 508th at Campo Blanding, FL.  He was promoted to SSgt on 5 November 1942.

1st Sgt Harshman was wounded in action in France on 8 June 1944 and returned to the regiment on 26 June 1944 whereupon he was transferred to Service Company for light duty. 

He was transferred back to Company F on 13 January 1945 only to be seriously wounded on 31 January and evacuated to a field hospital.

Still hospitalized on 29 April 1945 he was transferred to the hospital's detachment of patients and did not return to the regiment.  Kenneth was discharged on 21 August 1945.

On 17 January 1950, Kenneth submitted this application for the Pennsylvania WWII Veterans Bonus.  He was credited with 26 months of domestic duty and 19 months of foreign service netting him the full $500 bonus.

His military decorations include the Purple Heart with one OLC and the Bronze Service Arrowhead device awarded for participation in the Normandy assault.