The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General William Kelly Harrison, Jr. (ASN: 0-5279), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States while serving successively as Deputy Commanding General, EIGHTH United States Army, Senior Delegate, United Nations Command Armistice Commission; Deputy Commanding General, United States Army Forces, Far East; and Chief of Staff Far East and United Nations Commands; from 3 January 1952 to 7 May 1954. Lieutenant General Harmon’s broad military background and his understanding of naval organization and operations enabled him to coordinate effectively the combat efforts of the ground forces in Korea with the air and fire support rendered by naval aircraft and offshore naval gunfire. His efforts contributed materially to the development of integrated, aggressive, joint operations; and thus contributed to the high degree of coordinated team work which was reflected in the magnificent successes of the United Nations Command against a ruthless numerically superior foe. As Senior Delegate, United Nations Command Armistice Commission during cease fire negotiations, his diplomatic leadership and comprehensive grasp of the sensitive strategic and political implications involved were of primary importance in arriving at an early and acceptable armistice. In his capacity as Chief of Staff, Headquarters United Nations and Far East Commands, he worked unceasingly in the establishment of tri-service policies and in the preparation of negotiating procedures designed to achieve United Nations’ objectives in future political conferences with communist representatives. In addition he concerned himself continuously with post-armistice morale problems in order to preclude any let-down in the efficiency or state of readiness of Navy, Air Force and Army personnel in Korea. Lieutenant General Harrison’s outstanding professional ability, his forceful leadership and his sound judgment, coupled with his exemplary personal characteristics, earned him the respect and admiration of all major commands and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Military Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
-
Army Distinguished Service Medal
-
Legion of Merit
-
Silver Star
-
Army Distinguished Service Medal
-
Distinguished Service Cross
-
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
War DepartmentAction Date:
World War II
War Department, General Orders No. 7 (1945)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Brigadier General William Kelly Harrison, Jr. (ASN: 0-5279), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as as a member of the War Department Reorganization Committee. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Brigadier General Harrison and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
30th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
World War II
“Work Horse of the Western Front – The Story of the 30th Infantry Division” By Robert L. Hewitt(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General William Kelly Harrison, Jr. (ASN: 0-5279), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Commanding General of the 30th Infantry Division, in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944 and 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Brigadier General Harrison and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
30th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
September 2, 1944
Headquarters, 30th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 58 (September 17, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Brigadier General William Kelly Harrison, Jr. (ASN: 0-5279), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy on 2 September 1944, in France. As Commander of a Task Force, composed of elements of the 30th Infantry Division and attached units, with the mission of proceeding from France into Belgium, a distance of approximately 110 miles, General Harrison led his forces with outstanding gallantry. Slightly short of the objective the leading elements of the Task Force were fired on by enemy tanks located on a sunken road on the left flank of the column. In the initial burst of fire the vehicle in which General Harrison was riding was struck by a 75-mm. shell and he was wounded in three places. Refusing to mention his wounds he immediately dispatched his aide and driver to contact the next ranking officer in order that he might continue the advance. Then, under constant enemy tank fire and with utter disregard for his personal safety, General Harrison crawled approximately 600 yards in order to give further instructions for continuing the mission. It was at this time that he collapsed and his wounds were discovered, but he steadfastly refused to be evacuated until he had contacted his subordinates and instructed them in the continuation of the attack. General Harrison’s brilliant leadership, unselfish devotion to duty and complete disregard for his personal safety insured the success of the Task Force, which in turn made possible the rapid movement of the 30th Infantry Division from France into Belgium. His personal bravery and supreme devotion to duty reflect great credit on himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
-
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
30th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
World War II
“Work Horse of the Western Front – The Story of the 30th Infantry Division” By Robert L. Hewitt(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 Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General William Kelly Harrison, Jr. (ASN: 0-5279), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Assistant Division Commander, 30th Infantry Division, in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944 and 1945.The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Brigadier General Harrison and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
-
Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
30th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
July 25, 1944
Headquarters, NINTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 134 (May 1, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Brigadier General William Kelly Harrison, Jr. (ASN: 0-5279), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Assistant Division Commanding General, 30th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near St. Lo, France, on 25 July 1944. Even though General Harrison’s command group was located in the rear, he returned deliberately to the forward area shortly before the bombing began. He was thrown down by the blast of German Artillery fire, but was unharmed. Realizing that the success of the entire operation depended on the 30th Infantry Division carrying out its mission, General Harrison began analyzing the situation and found out that divisional Sherman tanks were totally disorganized and demoralized infantry was spread in the area. Moreover, the Commanding Officer of 120th Infantry Regiment, Colonel Hammond D. Birks, was located somewhere in the forward area and his jeep was knocked out. Eventually locating him, General Harrison ordered a commander to get his tanks in battle formation and get ready for action and evacuated Colonel Birks to safety. He took one soldier with bazooka through the hedgerow and ordered him to attack a German tank nearby. The soldier had hit the German tank several times, but panicked and ran into the open, where he was killed. General Harrison crawled back and came upon four American tanks in a neighboring field, who were waiting out the enemy shelling with their hatches shut tight. He climbed on the commander’s tank and forced the crew to open the hatch by beating the tank’s turret, subsequently ordering the general attack, which was successful. Brigadier General Harrison’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 30th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.