Arizona Todd Harris

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-36727.jpeg UPL 36727 Arizona Harris, Mesa, AZ

Internet and Mesa AZ publication

Object Number - UPL 36727 - Arizona Harris, Mesa, AZ

Shot down 3 January 1943 in B-17F #41-24470 'Sons of Fury' while serving as Engineer/Top Turret Gunner. Aircraft was ditched into the English Channel and then strafed by German fighters. TSgt Harris remained in his turret, continuously firing at the German fighters that were strafing the aircraft in the water. He perished when the aircraft sank beneath the waves. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service cross for his gallant actions. Killed in Action (KIA). DSC awarded posthumously. According to the book 'First Over Germany' this was the only posthumous award of the 7 highest decorations.

Arizona's award citation reads : “Arizona T. Harris (Army Serial No. 6296272), technical sergeant, 369th Bombardment Squadron (H), Army Air Forces, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed enemy of the United States. While on a combat mission over enemy occupied Continental Europe, January 1943, the airplane on which he was serving as top-turret gunner was badly damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire and forced out of formation. A large force of enemy fighter planes then concentrated their attacks on this lone airplane, finally driving it to a crash landing in the sea. Throughout the descent, and as the airplane disappeared beneath the waves, Sergeant Harris was seen to be still firing his guns at the enemy airplanes. The dogged determination to fight against all odds and sheer bravey displayed by Sergeant Harris upon this occasion upholds the highest traditions of the armed forces of the United States. Home address : 603 W. 8th St., Tempe, Arizona. (AG 220.5 M)”

Connections

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Units served with

Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-726189
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20318675 at enlistment, then O-724014
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20460324
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-430570
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
Staff Sergeant Harry Meyers of the 303rd Bomb Group adjusts his flying boots. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publciation 16 Dec 1942.' [stamp] and '238791.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"Ready to go". Here is S/Sgt Harry N Meyers,of 114 Rohman Ave ,Peoria, Ill. Fixing his flying kit. Aged 26, married, he worked as a carpenter way back in the days of peace. His parents, Mr and Mrs Albert A Meyers are at 919 Ellis St Peoria, Ill. Sgt Meyers went
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16054785
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Sons of Fury
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

21 September 1918

Other

Killed in Action (KIA)

3 January 1943 Killed when aircraft was ditched into the English Channel and then strafed by German fighters. He remained in his turret firing at the attacking German fighters as they strafed the aircraft in the water. He perished with the aircraft into the sea. For his gallantry he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. His remains have never been recovered.

Other

Commemorated

Commemorated on the Wall of the Missing, Cambridge American Cemetery.

Born

Tempe, Maricopa County, Arizona

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added " / " in the "Role/job" field as a separator to aid readability.

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

November 2004 e-mail correspondence with niece Linda Fleener

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

General Order 19 (3 April 1943) for DSC award

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added birth date and middle name per Find-a-grave Memorial ID 56290467.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a "#" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Corrected a typo in the "Summary biography".

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 16-Jan-2015. Added SN per MACR 16427.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 16-Jan-2015. Added SN, crew position and KIA event per MACR 16427; Added decorations and Commemorate event per American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) record; made connections to Place, AIrcraft and Mission within existing website data; Edited biography adding crew position and loss details per "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Roll of Honor, MACR 16427, Losses of the 8th and 9th Air Forces Vol. 1 by Bishop and Hey p. 61 , First Over Germany by Strong p. 61.

Arizona Todd Harris: Gallery (1 items)