The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Carlyle Smith Harris (AFSN: 133359158/46663), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from April 1965 to May 1972, in dealing with highly classified material while detained as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. As a leader and staff advisor, Colonel Harris successfully coped with daily problems which required patience, perseverance, and at times ingenuity. He performed his duties in an outstanding manner over long periods of time with dedication and unflinching loyalty which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Carlyle Smith Harris (AFSN: 133359158/46663), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 1965 to June 1969. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.