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
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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)