Hugh P. Harris
Encyclopedia
Hugh Pate Harris was a United States Army
four star general who served as Commanding General, U.S. Continental Army Command (CG CONARC) from 1964 to 1965.
on June 15, 1909. After graduating from Columbia Military Academy
, he attended and graduated from the United States Military Academy
at West Point in 1931, receiving his commission in the infantry.
Early in his career he was involved in the early development of airborne units and doctrine. During World War II he was Chief of Staff of the 13th Airborne Division.
He served as Chief of Staff of the XVIII Airborne Corps, and commanded a regiment in the 40th Infantry Division during the Korean War. After the war he was Deputy Chief of Staff, Eighth United States Army.
He took command of the Berlin Command in 1955, and in 1956 assumed command of the 11th Airborne Division. In April 1960, Harris became Commanding General, U.S. Army Infantry Center
and Commandant, U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning
. In 1961 he was named commander of I Corps, and the next year Commanding General, Seventh United States Army. At retirement in 1965, General Harris was Commanding General of the U.S. Continental Army Command.
Harris' awards and decorations included the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star
, Legion of Merit
with two oak leaf clusters, Combat Infantryman Badge
, Glider Badge
and Airborne Badge
.
, a position he held from 1965 to 1970. He was the third consecutive four star officer to hold that position. Harris died on November 3, 1979 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
, next to his first wife, Jane Boyd Harris (1911–1958). His second wife, Lieutenant Colonel Kathleen B. Harris, Ret. (1917–2001), was buried next to him later.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
four star general who served as Commanding General, U.S. Continental Army Command (CG CONARC) from 1964 to 1965.
Military career
Harris was born in Anderson, AlabamaAnderson, Alabama
Anderson is a town in Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Florence - Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Statistical Area known as "The Shoals". As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 354. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the town had a population of 348...
on June 15, 1909. After graduating from Columbia Military Academy
Columbia Military Academy
The property on which Columbia Military Academy was built was an arsenal for the US Army up to the end of the Spanish-American War. The arsenal was declared surplus property in 1901, and in 1904 the land was formally turned over to the Columbia Military Academy...
, he attended and graduated from the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point in 1931, receiving his commission in the infantry.
Early in his career he was involved in the early development of airborne units and doctrine. During World War II he was Chief of Staff of the 13th Airborne Division.
He served as Chief of Staff of the XVIII Airborne Corps, and commanded a regiment in the 40th Infantry Division during the Korean War. After the war he was Deputy Chief of Staff, Eighth United States Army.
He took command of the Berlin Command in 1955, and in 1956 assumed command of the 11th Airborne Division. In April 1960, Harris became Commanding General, U.S. Army Infantry Center
United States Army Infantry School
The United States Army Infantry School is located in Fort Benning, Georgia. It is made up of the following components:*192d Infantry Brigade...
and Commandant, U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning
Fort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
. In 1961 he was named commander of I Corps, and the next year Commanding General, Seventh United States Army. At retirement in 1965, General Harris was Commanding General of the U.S. Continental Army Command.
Harris' awards and decorations included the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with two oak leaf clusters, Combat Infantryman Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
The Combat Infantryman Badge is the U.S. Army combat service recognition decoration awarded to soldiers—enlisted men and officers holding colonel rank or below, who personally fought in active ground combat while an assigned member of either an infantry or a Special Forces unit, of brigade size...
, Glider Badge
Glider Badge
The Glider Badge was a qualification badge of the United States Army. According to the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry, the badge was awarded to personnel who had "been assigned or attached to a glider or airborne unit or to the Airborne Department of the Infantry School; satisfactorily completed...
and Airborne Badge
Parachutist Badge (United States)
The Parachutist Badge, also commonly referred to as "Jump Wings" or "Snow Cone", is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces awarded to members of the United States Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy...
.
Post military career
After retiring from the army, Harris became the President of The CitadelThe Citadel (military college)
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, also known simply as The Citadel, is a state-supported, comprehensive college located in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. It is one of the six senior military colleges in the United States...
, a position he held from 1965 to 1970. He was the third consecutive four star officer to hold that position. Harris died on November 3, 1979 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
, next to his first wife, Jane Boyd Harris (1911–1958). His second wife, Lieutenant Colonel Kathleen B. Harris, Ret. (1917–2001), was buried next to him later.