World War II Honoree

Francis 'Bucky' Harris

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

La Jolla, California

Honored By

Family & Friends

IN 1942, WHILE RETURNING TO ENGLAND AFTER ESCORTING B-17 BOMBERS OVER FRANCE, HIS P-38, A SINGLE-SEAT FIGHTER AND RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT, CAUGHT FIRE. HE FOUND A WAY TO AVOID THE PLANE'S TWIN TAIL STRUCTURE AND PARACHUTE TO SAFETY, AN UNPRECEDENTED MANEUVER AT THE TIME. IN FEBRUARY 1945, HE COMMANDED ONE OF THREE FIGHTER SQUADRONS THAT ESCORTED PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT AND BRITISH PRIME MINISTER WINSTON CHURCHILL'S SECRET, 16,000-MILE FLIGHT TO THE YALTA CONFERENCE. HE RECEIVED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS AND THE FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM.