Gail Harris (naval officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gail Harris
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| Born | June 23, 1949 East Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Allegiance |  United States of America |
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Branch
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 United States Navy |
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Rank
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 Captain |
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Gail Harris, born on June 23, 1949, is a remarkable former officer in the United States Navy. When she retired in 2001, she was the highest-ranking African American woman in the entire U.S. Navy.
She made history many times during her career. In 1973, she was the first female intelligence officer in a Navy aviation squadron. Later, in 1979, Captain Harris became the first woman and African American to teach at the Armed Forces Air Intelligence Training Center. In 1989, she was the first woman and African American to lead the Intelligence Department for the Navy's largest aviation squadron in Rota, Spain.
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Early Life and Education
Gail Harris was born in East Orange, New Jersey. She grew up in Newark, New Jersey, with her brother and sister. After finishing high school, she went to Drew University. In 1971, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
Later, in 1983, she continued her studies. She earned a master's degree in International Studies from the University of Denver. This is where she was classmates with Condoleezza Rice, who later became a very important person in the U.S. government.
Gail Harris joined the U.S. Navy on May 16, 1973. She became an officer through the Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island.
First Assignments and Key Roles
From 1973 to 1976, Harris was part of a special test. She was chosen to see how women would do in Naval Operational Aviation Squadrons. Her first job was as an air intelligence officer for Patrol Squadron 47 in California.
In 1976, she was asked to go to Kamiseya, Japan. There, she became the first woman and African American woman to be an Intelligence Watch Specialist. This meant she was an Intelligence Watch Officer in the U.S. Navy.
Teaching and Leadership Milestones
In April 1979, Captain Gail Harris became the first female and African American instructor at the Armed Forces Air Intelligence Training Center. This center was at Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado. She created the Navy's first course on ocean surveillance information systems. She also taught classes on Anti-Submarine Warfare.
In 1984, Captain Harris was one of the first two women assigned to a special team. This team worked on war games for the Office of Naval Intelligence. She was even chosen twice to lead the "Soviet Union's" military forces during these important Global War Games.
In 1988, Gail was asked to help with a big event. She coordinated intelligence support for the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. This was for the Department of Defense.
Leading the Largest Squadron
In 1989, she was chosen to lead the Intelligence Department for Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Two. This squadron was in Rota, Spain. This made her the first woman and African American to lead the intelligence for the U.S. Navy's largest aviation squadron. Her team's job was to provide intelligence reports. These reports helped U.S. military and aircraft carrier operations during the Gulf War.
Service in the Middle East
Between 1992 and 1996, Captain Harris served in the Middle East. She was the intelligence planner for U.S. Forces Central Command. During this time, she also led the U.S. Navy's Iraqi Crisis Action Cell. She managed the Intelligence Watch Center during crisis operations in the Persian Gulf.
She was also specifically chosen to be the acting naval attache in Egypt for five months. This made her the first female attache to a Middle Eastern country. For her last assignment, Harris helped create intelligence policy. This policy was for computer network defense and attacks for the Department of Defense.
After retiring from the military in 2001, Gail Harris continued to work. She worked for Lockheed Martin, a big company, as an expert in intelligence. She has also written for books like Wake Up and Live Your Life With Passion. She is currently finishing her own book, a memoir called War On Any Given Day. She also hosts a weekly R&B radio show.
Awards and Honors
Gail Harris received many awards for her service and achievements in the Navy. These awards show her dedication and hard work.
- Navy Commendation Medal (3 times)
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 times)
- Defense Superior Service Medal (2 times)
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2 times)
- Joint Meritorious Unit Award
- Navy Unit Commendation
- National Defense Service Medal (2 times)
- Pistol Marksman Ribbon
- Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze star
- Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (2 times)
- Saudi Liberation Medal
- Kuwaiti Liberation Medal
