Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Thomas
Switzer
Harris
April 21, 1921

–

April 3, 2010

Born:

Tamaroa

, 

Illinois

Home:

Tamaroa

, 

Illinois

Buried: 

Tamaroa

, 

Illinois

Cemetery:

Antioch Cemetery

Thomas Harris became a World War II Navy ACE, credited with shooting down nine enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He retired as a U.S. Navy Commander in 1959.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 17 (VF-17)

    Action Date:

    April 7, 1945

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Thomas Switzer Harris, United States Navy, was awarded a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron SEVENTEEN (VF-17), in action against the enemy on 7 April 1945.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 17 (VF-17)

    Action Date:

    April 12, 1945

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Thomas Switzer Harris, United States Navy, was awarded a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Silver Star for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron SEVENTEEN (VF-17), in action against the enemy on 12 April 1945.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 17 (VF-17)

    Action Date:

    February 16, 1945

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Thomas Switzer Harris, United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron SEVENTEEN (VF-17), in action against the enemy on 16 February 1945.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 17 (VF-17)

    Action Date:

    March 18, 1945

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Thomas Switzer Harris, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron SEVENTEEN (VF-17), in action against the enemy on 18 March 1945.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 17 (VF-17)

    Action Date:

    March 19, 1945

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Thomas Switzer Harris, United States Navy, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron SEVENTEEN (VF-17), in action against the enemy on 19 March 1945.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 17 (VF-17)

    Action Date:

    February 21 – April 23, 1945

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Thomas Switzer Harris, United States Navy, was awarded a Silver Star in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot in Fighting Squadron SEVENTEEN (VF-17), in action against the enemy from 21 February 1945 to 23 April 1945.