VIETNAM - HARRIS, CARL ALLEN

Harris, Carl Allen

VIETNAM - HARRIS, CARL ALLEN
HARRIS, CARL ALLEN

Rank: First Lieutenant

Unit: M Company, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

MOS: 1204 – Armored Reconnaissance Unit Commander

Awards: Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Unit awards: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device

Enlisted by: Reserve

Date of birth: 9-Jun-1943

Hometown: Flint, Michigan

Marital status: Married to Scharlott A. Harris

Campaign: Vietnam Conflict

Entered service: 15-Sep-1966

Start of tour: 9-Sep-1967

Incident date: 12-Jan-1968

Date of casualty: 12-Jan-1968

Age at death: 24

Cause of death: Hostile, died. Grenade. Multiple fragmentation wounds.
Carl Allen Harris died from wounds received while passenger on tank on combat operation when anti-tank round landed in area.

Location of fatality: Tay Ninh, South Vietnam, YS 442 910

Place of interment: Sunset Hills Cemetery, Flint, Michigan, USA

View this soldier‘s Find a Grave page (opens in a new window)

Vietnam Veterans Memorial panel and row: 34E 036 (view Vietnam Veterans Memorial link in a new window)

 

SILVER STAR

SILVER STAR
POSTHUMOUS

FIRST LIEUTENANT CARL ALLEN HARRIS, ARMOR
12 JANUARY 1968
M COMPANY, 3rd SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT

First Lieutenant Harris distinguished himself for gallantry in action involving close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Harris distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 January 1968 while serving as Platoon Leader with Troop M, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. While conducting Operation Fargo in the vicinity of Long Binh, Lieutenant Harris and his tank platoon uncovered an enemy base camp of considerable size. Without warning, the lead tank was suddenly hit with an antitank round causing the vehicle to erupt in flames. In complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Harris courageously directed his tank between the Viet Cong fire and the burning vehicle, thus enabling the men in the disabled vehicle to be shielded from further fire. With inspirational leadership, Lieutenant Harris poured a withering volume of automatic weapons and main gun fire into the midst of the insurgents, cutting them down in great numbers. Suddenly, his vehicle received a direct hit from an antitank round, mortally wounding him. His decisive actions allowed the hostile force to be overcome. First Lieutenant Harris’ extraordinary heroism is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 501 (28 January 1968)