Col. William E. Harris, Jr., USAF, Ret.
About the donor:
William E. “Bill” Harris Jr. was born on July 28, 1929, in Columbia, Tennessee, to William and Milre (Cox) Harris. He graduated from Columbia Military Academy in 1947 and from The Citadel in 1951, where he distinguished himself as Commander of the 2nd Battalion during his senior year. He later completed his professional military education at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1967.
Following graduation from The Citadel, Harris received a regular commission in the United States Air Force as a second lieutenant on July 3, 1951. After completing flight training during the Korean War, he began his aviation career flying the Air Force’s first jet fighter, the F-80, and later the F-84, the first fighter aircraft capable of delivering an atomic weapon.
Over the course of a distinguished career spanning nearly 28 years, Colonel Harris flew more than 30 different aircraft across fighter, training, transport, rescue, and reconnaissance platforms. A command pilot with more than 8,500 flight hours, he flew 309 combat and combat-support missions throughout Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. He concluded his flying career as commander of the second squadron equipped with the C-5 Galaxy, the Air Force’s largest jet transport aircraft.
Colonel Harris continued to serve in a variety of command and staff positions before retiring from active duty in May 1979 as Chief of Safety for the Military Airlift Command’s 21st Air Force (now Air Mobility Command), holding the rank of colonel. His service afforded him the opportunity to travel extensively and experience nearly every continent across the globe.
The cadet sword carried by Colonel Harris during his time at The Citadel is donated in his honor by his son, William E. Harris III, Class of 1975.
Preferred Sword Disposition: Second Battalion Commander
This sword has been carried by:
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