He attended college at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska where he graduated with dual majors of R.O.T.C. and Doctor of Dental Surgery June 6, 1925. His distinguished 32 year military career officially began as a commissioned officer on August 18, 1925. During his early career he was stationed at Ft. Logan Colorado, and Fitzsimmons Hospital in Denver. While in the Denver area, he met and married the love of his life, Alice Daly. She was raised in Central City, Colorado and attended the University of Denver where she majored in Educational/Teaching & Fine Arts courses. During the early 1940's and WWII they were stationed at Sternberg Hospital in the Philippine Islands. Upon their return to the mainland they adopted a beautiful red headed baby, Sally Dee, in 1944. Alice was stricken with, and died from, cancer in 1946. She was buried in Mt. Oliver Cemetery, Denver, Colorado. Major Ott continued with his military career, and later married Elinor Garvey and they, together, raised Sally, spending several years in Japan before returning to Maryland. Harold was the first US Army orthodontist. Colonel Ott also served in Korea and Japan and Ft. Meade Maryland. During his military career he was honored to be able to work on the teeth of General Eisenhower, and was given a pair of gold personalized cufflinks with a note from Mamie saying 'Thanks for taking such good care of Ikes teeth'. The cufflinks are still a gift that is treasured by the family. Harold received many medals during his tenure with the U.S. Army, a couple being the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon & the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan). When Colonel Ott retired from the U.S. Army on October 31, 1957 they built a beautiful home across from Burning Tree Country Club and opened a private dental practice in the Bethesda, Maryland area. Harold's daughter Sally gave him 2 grandchildren, a boy and a girl, whom he adored. When he retired from his private dental practice, his artistic talents were displayed in his woodworking endeavors. He died November 25, 1987 from a brain aneurism and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Bethesda, Maryland