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)”