Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Hugh
Harris
, Jr.
KIA (WWII)
July 13, 1919

–

August 9, 1945

Cemetery:

National Memorial of the Pacific Cemetery

William Harris became a World War II Navy ACE, credited with shooting down five enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He was killed in action on a mission over Honshu Bay on August 9, 1945, and was the last American ACE killed during the war.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Bombing Fighting Squadron 83 (VBF-83)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)

    Action Date:

    March 18 – May 28, 1945
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 353 (August 1946)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant William Hugh Harris, Jr. (NSN: 0-102407), United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot and Section Leader in in Bombing Fighting Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VBF-83), embarked in U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9) in the vicinity of the Ryukyus, Kyushu, Japan, from 18 March 1945 to 28 May 1945.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Bombing Fighting Squadron 83 (VBF-83)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)

    Action Date:

    May 4, 1945
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 353 (August 1946)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant William Hugh Harris, Jr. (NSN: 0-102407), United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot and Section Leader in in Bombing Fighting Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VBF-83), embarked in U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9) in the vicinity of Okinawa Gunto on 4 May 1945.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Bombing Fighting Squadron 83 (VBF-83)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Essex (CV-9)

    Action Date:

    July 18, 1945
    Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01678 (September 1, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant William Hugh Harris, Jr. (NSN: 0-102407), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Section Leader in Bombing Fighting Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VBF-83), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), during action against enemy Japanese forces at Yokosuka, in Tokyo Bay, Japan, on 18 July 1945. Piloting his craft in a vigorous strike at major units of the Japanese Fleet, Lieutenant Harris boldly pressed home a bombing attack against an enemy battleship, plunging through intensive anti-aircraft fire to score a direct hit upon the assigned target. A skilled and daring airman, he rendered valiant service throughout a vital mission and, by his expert tactics and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave danger, contributed materially to the damaging of a powerful enemy warship. His heroic conduct reflects the highest credit upon Lieutenant Harris and the United States Naval Service.