World War II Honoree

Warren Hugh Harris

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Broken Bow, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE IN 1942 AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL. SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER ABOARD THE ATTACK TRANSPORT SHIP USS PICKENS APA-190. HIS SHIP TOOK PART IN AMPHIBIOUS TRAINING IN HAWAIIAN WATERS AND SAILED ON JANUARY 27, 1945 WITH ELEMENTS OF THE 4TH MARINE DIVISION EMBARKED. ARRIVED OFF IWO JIMA ON FEBRUARY 19, 1945 AND, DESPITE COLD WEATHER AND HIGH SEAS, LANDED ASSAULT TROOPS AND EQUIPMENT. DEPARTED IWO JIMA ON FEBRUARY 28, 1945 FOR GUAM TO DISEMBARK CASUALTIES. DEPARTED THE MARIANA ISLANDS ON MARCH 27, 1945 AND PARTICIPATED IN DIVERSIONARY LANDINGS ON OKINAWA BEGINNING APRIL 1, 1945. HELPED RESCUE SURVIVORS OF OTHER SHIPS LOST TO 'KAMIKAZE' SUICIDE PLANES AT OKINAWA. AFTER THE WAR, ENGAGED IN 'MAGIC CARPET' DUTIES TO RETURN SERVICE VETERANS FROM THE THEATER TO THE STATES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 1945 WITH THE RATING OF CARPENTER'S MATE FIRST CLASS AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.