Harold Evan Hartney was born in Pakenham, Ontario, Canada in 1888. He enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1914, shipping to France with the 28th Battalion as an infantryman. He was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1915. In early 1918, Hartney traveled to the United States to organize and train fighter squadrons. He became commander of the 27th Aero Squadron upon his return to France, then commander of the squadron's parent group the 1st Pursuit Group, which included such notable aces as Eddie Rickenbacker and Frank Luke. Hartney himself was also an ace and is credited with bringing down six to eight enemy planes according to various sources.

During his military service Hartney was given numerous awards, including the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Purple Heart, Legion of Honor, Croix de Guerre, Italian Silver War Medal, and the British War Medal.

After the war, the United States recruited Hartney to train pilots in Texas, becoming the chief of training for the Army Air Service. He also competed in several transcontinental air races, then organized several commercial aviation groups with the goal of trans-Atlantic flight. In 1935, Hartney became a technical adviser for a U.S. Senate committee to investigate air safety, along with fellow World War I aviator Charles Kerwood. Over the course of the next few years Hartney served the early Civil Aeronautics Administration, which would become the Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.). In 1940, Hartney published Up and At 'Em, an account of his World War I experience. Hartney was part of the organization of the Ferry Command (later the Air Transport Command), which organized the transportation of aircraft, equipment, supplies, and personnel during World War II.

Hartney's sons Harold Jr. and James also became pilots, Harold Jr. serving in Germany and James at Perrin Field (Texas) during World War II. Harold Jr. was shot down and killed on May 15, 1944.

Hartney died on October 5, 1945 in Washington.

Further reading:

Harold Hartney, Up and At 'Em. New York: ACE Books, 1971.

Harold E. Hartney. The Complete Flying Manual: A Handbook for Instructors and Pupils. New York: National aeronautics Council, 1940.

Harold E. Hartney & Alan Haemer (illus.). What the Citizen Should Know About the Air Forces. New York: W.W. Norton & Co, 1942.

Harold E. Hartney. Aircraft Spotters' Guide. New York: National Aeronautics Council, Inc., 1942.