Harry was born on the 8th of December 1858, at the US Military Academy in West Point, New York, where his father was stationed. At the age of 15, he received an appointment to the Naval Academy, and he graduated four years later in June of 1878. When the Spanish-American War began, Harry was a Lieutenant and the executive officer of the USS Gloucester when he fought in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. He also led the party that went ashore and raised the first US flag over Puerto Rico. After being stationed in the Philippines, Harry spent five more years at the Naval Academy as an instructor and was promoted to the rank of Commander in 1907 and commanded the USS Nevada and the USS Celtic. When he was promoted to Captain, he was transferred to the Philadelphia Navy Yard, where he was the captain of the yard, and commanded the USS Vermont. He deployed on board the Vermont to Mexico in support of the Mexican Campaign and it was his actions there that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21-22 April 1914. Under fire, Capt. Huse was eminent and conspicuous in the performance of his duties; was indefatigable in his labors of a most important character, both with the division commander in directing affairs and in his efforts onshore to get in communication with the Mexican authorities to avoid needlessly prolonging the conflict.

After the campaign, Harry attended the War College and was promoted to Rear Admiral. During the first World War, he held various positions within the Department of the Navy and took command of the Atlantic Training Fleet in 1919. Harry was a senior US Navy representative overseas as part of the Inter-Allied Naval Armistice Commission and then commanded the US Naval Forces in European Waters at the temporary rank of Vice Admiral. He returned to the States and served as a member of the Navy’s General Board as the commandant of the Third Naval District and Harry retired from the Navy in December of 1922, after 44 years of service and at the rank of Vice Admiral. Harry retired to Washington DC and he and his wife, Mary, had one daughter, Jean.  Harry McLaren Pinckney Huse died on the 14th of May 1942, at the age of 83 and he is buried with his wife in Arlington National Cemetery: Section 2, Lot 4889.