Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Samuel Russ Harris, Jr. (ASN: 0-16412/272A), U.S. Army Air Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights. While assigned to duty as a test pilot during a period of more than four and one-half years at the Materiel Division, Air Corps, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, Captain Harris, with skill, initiative, endurance, and courage of the highest type, flew or flight-tested more than 200 different types of airplanes, many of extremely hazardous, experimental design, without the loss of a single airplane. Despite frequent forced landings due to experimental engine for structural failure, Captain Harris, with complete disregard for his personal safety, courageously continued to flight-test experimental aircraft in the most strenuous maneuvers possible to ascertain the safety, efficiency, and suitability for air combat. Through the fine performance of these duties scientific data of great and permanent importance to the Air Corps were obtained.

Awards Received

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 34 (June 11, 1956)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to Major General Samuel Russ Harris, Jr. (ASN: 0-16412/272A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, culminating as Commander of the Arnold Engineering Development Center, Tullahoma, Tennessee, from 1953 to 1956. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Harris culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    Flight Control Command

    Action Date:

    April 17, 1942 – November 19, 1943
    War Department, General Orders No. 7 (February 1, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Air Corps) Samuel Russ Harris, Jr. (ASN: 0-16412/272A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding Officer, Flight Control Command, Headquarters, Army Air Forces, from 17 April 1942 to 19 November 1943. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Harris and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.