World War II Honoree

Desmond L. Harris

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Honored By

Hal D. Terrell

Relationship

WWII Buddy

COMPLETED BASIC MILITARY TRAINING AT THE U.S. NAVAL TRAINING STATION, FARRAGUT, IDAHO. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO TREASURE ISLAND U.S. NAVAL STATION, CALIFORNIA, THEN TO PEARL HARBOR, NAVAL STATION, HAWAII. HE BECAME A MEMBER OF ADMIRAL SPRUANCE’S ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, TYPING OPERATIONS PLANS FOR THE INVASIONS OF THE GILBERT ISLANDS, MARSHALL AND CAROLINA ISLANDS. PRIOR TO THE INVASIONS HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE HEAVY CRUISER, USS INDIANAPOLIS ‘AD-35’ ALONG WITH THE ADMIRAL’S STAFF AND LATER HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE BATTLESHIP, USS NEW JERSEY ‘BB-62’ DURING THE OPERATIONS. AFTER THE BATTLES HE RETURNED TO HAWAII ON THE INDIANAPOLIS AND RE-ASSIGNED TO ADMIRAL AINSWORTH’S STAFF. AWARDED THE NAVY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN WITH 3 BRONZE SERVICE STARS. ENTERED THE SERVICE IN AUGUST OF 1943 AND WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN MAY OF 1945 AT THE U.S. NAVAL STATION, SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA.