Marcelite J. Harris
Encyclopedia
Major General Marcelite J. Harris (born January 16, 1943) was the first African-American female general of the United States Air Force
. Born Marcelite Jordan in Houston, Texas
to Cecil O'Neal Jordan and Marcelite Terrill Jordan, Sr., Jordan graduated from Spelman College
, earning her B.A. of arts degree in speech and drama in 1964.
, Texas, in 1965. She has held a variety of assignments in the Air Force. Major General Marcelite J. Harris retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1997 as the highest ranking female officer in the Air Force and the Nation’s highest ranking African American woman in the Department of Defense. General Harris’s distinguished career in the service included many “firsts” as she was the first female aircraft maintenance officer; one of the first two female air officers commanding
at the United States Air Force Academy
; and the Air Force’s first female Vice Commander for maintenance. She also served as a White House social aide during the Carter administration. Her service medals and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Service Medal. Upon retirement from the Air Force, Major General Harris served NASA as the Florida Site Director and Logistics Process Owner for the company managing the Nation’s Shuttle Program, United Space Alliance. In 1999 Major General Harris was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Spelman College, where she had previously earned her B.A. in Speech and Drama. She also holds a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Maryland University College. Mrs. Harris is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
to serve as a member of the Board of Visitors for the United States Air Force Academy
. The Board inquires into the morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other matters relating to the Academy which the Board decides to consider. The Board meets at least four times per year, with at least two of those meetings at the Academy. The Board prepares semi-annual reports containing its views and recommendations pertaining to the Academy. Each written report is submitted concurrently to the Secretary of Defense, through the Secretary of the Air Force, and to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. Born Marcelite Jordan in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
to Cecil O'Neal Jordan and Marcelite Terrill Jordan, Sr., Jordan graduated from Spelman College
Spelman College
Spelman College is a four-year liberal arts women's college located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The college is part of the Atlanta University Center academic consortium in Atlanta. Founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, Spelman was the first historically black female...
, earning her B.A. of arts degree in speech and drama in 1964.
Education and early career
Major General Harris was commissioned through Officer Training School, Lackland Air Force BaseLackland Air Force Base
Lackland Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located west-southwest of San Antonio, Texas. The base is under the jurisdiction of the 802d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command ....
, Texas, in 1965. She has held a variety of assignments in the Air Force. Major General Marcelite J. Harris retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1997 as the highest ranking female officer in the Air Force and the Nation’s highest ranking African American woman in the Department of Defense. General Harris’s distinguished career in the service included many “firsts” as she was the first female aircraft maintenance officer; one of the first two female air officers commanding
Air Officer Commanding
Air Officer Commanding is a title given in the air forces of Commonwealth nations to an air officer who holds a command appointment. Thus, an air vice marshal might be the AOC 38 Group...
at the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
; and the Air Force’s first female Vice Commander for maintenance. She also served as a White House social aide during the Carter administration. Her service medals and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Service Medal. Upon retirement from the Air Force, Major General Harris served NASA as the Florida Site Director and Logistics Process Owner for the company managing the Nation’s Shuttle Program, United Space Alliance. In 1999 Major General Harris was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Spelman College, where she had previously earned her B.A. in Speech and Drama. She also holds a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Maryland University College. Mrs. Harris is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Current work
Major General Harris is now Treasurer of the Atlanta Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and serves as a Director on the Board of Peachtree Hope Charter School. Also, as of September 15, 2010, General Harris was appointed by President Barack ObamaBarack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
to serve as a member of the Board of Visitors for the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
. The Board inquires into the morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other matters relating to the Academy which the Board decides to consider. The Board meets at least four times per year, with at least two of those meetings at the Academy. The Board prepares semi-annual reports containing its views and recommendations pertaining to the Academy. Each written report is submitted concurrently to the Secretary of Defense, through the Secretary of the Air Force, and to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.
Personal
Gen. Harris is married to Maurice A. Harris(Deceased). They have three adult children son Steven & daughters Tenecia and Sherri.Major achievements and decorations
- Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
- Bronze Star Medal*
- Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
- Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Presidential Unit Citation
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device and eight oak leaf clusters
- National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Vietnam Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
- Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
- Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Other achievements
- 2010 - "Trailblazer Award," Black Girls Rock Foundation
- 1996 - Ellis Island Medal of Honor
- 1995 - "Black Woman of Courage," National Federation of Black Women Business Owners
- 1995 - "Military African American Woman" for contributions to the Department of Defense, National Political Congress of Black Women, Inc.
- 1995 - "Women of Distinction" Award, Thomas W. Anthony Chapter, Air Force Association
- 1992 - Woman of Enterprise, Journal Recording Publishing Co., Oklahoma City
- 1991 - Most Prestigious Individual, Dollars and Sense Magazine
- 1990 - Outstanding Young Woman of America
- 1990 - Woman of the Year, National Organization of Tuskegee Airmen, also listed in "Who's Who Among Black Americans", "Who's Who in America and "Who's Who Among American Business Women"
Effective dates of promotion
- Second Lieutenant December 21, 1965
- First Lieutenant January 21, 1967
- Captain Dec 21, 1969
- Major April 1, 1975
- Lieutenant Colonel - October 1, 1981
- Colonel - September 1, 1986
- Brigadier General - May 1, 1991
- Major General - May 25, 1995