Edgar S. Harris Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edgar S. Harris Jr.
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | May 14, 1925 Danville, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | October 13, 2018 (aged 93) Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1946–1981 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | Eighth Air Force Vice Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Air Command |
Edgar Starr Harris Jr. (May 14, 1925 – October 13, 2018) was an important Air Force leader. He reached the rank of lieutenant general. His last big job was commanding the Eighth Air Force, which was part of the Strategic Air Command. This command was based at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.
During his more than 30 years in the Air Force, General Harris also served as the Chief of Staff and Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Air Command. He spent most of his career working with this important command.
| Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Early Life and Education
Edgar Harris Jr. was born in Danville, Virginia. He studied hard and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1946. He earned a bachelor's degree in science there.
Later, he continued his education. In 1961, he graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. He also earned a master's degree in international affairs in 1964 from The George Washington University. He got this degree while attending the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
A Long Career in the Air Force
General Harris spent most of his 33 years in the Strategic Air Command (SAC). SAC was a major part of the Air Force. It was responsible for the country's long-range bombers and missiles.
He was a very skilled pilot. He earned his pilot wings in 1946. Over his career, he flew more than 7,900 hours! He piloted many different SAC aircraft, from the B-29 to the super-fast SR-71 Blackbird.
After his pilot training, he joined a Bombardment Wing in Arizona in 1946. He gained a lot of experience flying different bomber planes like the B-29, B-47, and B-50. He also worked in planning and operations roles.
In 1955, he moved to Morocco to work as an operations staff officer. He returned to the United States in 1957. He then worked at Headquarters SAC in Nebraska, helping with war plans.
Leading Air Force Units
After attending the Armed Forces Staff College in 1960, he became a B-52 operations officer and squadron commander in North Carolina. This meant he was in charge of flying missions and leading groups of airmen.
In 1966, he became the vice wing commander at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. A year later, he became the wing commander. This was a very important leadership role. In 1968, he led his B-52 and KC-135 wing on a second tour of duty in Southeast Asia. He flew 43 combat missions during this time.
He continued to command different units. In 1968, he became wing commander at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. In 1971, he commanded the 14th Air Division in California. This division included B-52s, KC-135s, U-2s, and SR-71 aircraft. He was also temporarily assigned to command the 57th Air Division in Guam.
Top Leadership Roles
General Harris moved into even higher leadership positions. From 1974 to 1975, he was the assistant deputy chief of staff for operations at Headquarters SAC. Then, he became the vice commander of the Fifteenth Air Force.
In 1976, he returned to Headquarters SAC as Chief of Staff. He held this role until 1977. On February 2, 1978, he was promoted to Lieutenant General. He was then appointed as the Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Air Command.
In June 1978, General Harris took on his final assignment. He became the Commander of the Eighth Air Force, based at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. During his time leading the Eighth Air Force, he oversaw the arrival of a brand new tanker aircraft. This was the McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender.
The KC-10 Extender began its service in the Air Force on March 1, 1981. General Harris even flew the second KC-10 Extender built. He flew it himself from the McDonnell Douglas plant in Berkeley, Missouri, to the Eighth Air Force Headquarters in Louisiana.
Awards and Recognition
General Harris was recognized for his long and distinguished service. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. He also received the Presidential Unit Citation emblem and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbon. He was also given the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm.
He was also awarded the master missile man badge. This showed his experience with important missiles like the Titan and Minuteman.
Later Life
Edgar Harris Jr.'s hometown was Danville, Virginia. He passed away on October 13, 2018, at the age of 93.
Images for kids
-
Lieutenant General speaks at the delivery ceremony for the new United States Air Force Tanker Aircraft, McDonnell-Douglas KC-10 Extender at McDonnell Douglas Corp. plant Headquarters in Berkeley, Missouri.
-
Retired Lieutenant General Edgar S. Harris, Jr. speaks during the Eighth Air Force 60th Anniversary dinner at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.
_Edgar_S._Harris,_Jr._(Retired),_Commander,_Eighth_Air_Force,_speaks_during_the_Eighth_Air_Forces_60th_Anniversary_dinner_at_Barksdale_AFB,_Louisiana.jpg)
