If you knew or served with this Soldier and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Anderson, AL
Last Address Anderson, AL
Date of Passing Nov 03, 1979
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
General Harris was born in Anderson, Alabama in 1909. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1931. General Harris had a distinguished thirty-four year military career, which included positions as Commanding General, Berlin Command 1955; Commanding General, I Corps (Group) Korea 1961; and Commanding General of the U.S. Seventh Army 1962. At retirement in 1965, General Harris was Commanding General of the U.S. Continental Army Command. From 1965-1970 General Harris served as President of the Citadel. He was the third consecutive officer of the grade of General to serve as President of The Citadel. He died in 1979.
General Hugh Pate Harris was born in Anderson, Alabama and graduated from Columbia Military Academy before entering the U.S. Military Academy, West Point. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in 1931. Early in his carrer he led in the development of the Army's Experimental Airborne/Air Transportability efforts. He held key staff positions in the fledgling Airborne Command. He served as Chief of Staff of the 13th Airborne Division in 1943.
Gen. Harris held every key position associated with the ongoing development of the Army's Airborne Command. He also advised and assisted the Canadian Army's Airborne efforts. In 1951 he was Chief of Staff of the XVIII Airborne Corps, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He served as Regimental Commander during the war in Korea in 1953 with the 40th Infantry Division. Gen. Harris then became Deputy Chief of Staff, Eighth Army in Korea.
He took over the Berlin Command, U.S. Army, Europe. In 1956 General Harris took command of the 11th Airborne Division, Seventh U.S. Army, Europe. In April, 1960 General Harris became Commanding General, U.S. Army Infantry Center and Commandant, U.S. Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia. The next year he assumed command of I Corps (Group) and then Commanding General, Seventh U.S. Army, Europe. He received his promotion to Four Stars in 1962.
General Harris has received more than 20 citations and decorations including the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, three Legion of Merit Awards, The Combat Infantry, Glider and Parachute Badges. He closed his military career as President of the Citadel, Charleston, S.C. in 1965.
Other Comments:
General Hugh Pate Harris was born in Anderson, Alabama and graduated from Columbia Military Academy before entering the U.S. Military Academy, West Point. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in 1931.
Early in his carrer he led in the development of the Army's Experimental Airborne/Air Transportability efforts. He held key staff positions in the fledgling Airborne Command. He served as Chief of Staff of the 13th Airborne Division in 1943.
Gen. Harris held every key position associated with the ongoing development of the Army's Airborne Command. He also advised and assisted the Canadian Army's Airborne efforts. In 1951 he was Chief of Staff of the XVIII Airborne Corps, Ft. Bragg, N.C. He served as Regimental Commander during the war in Korea in 1953 with the 40th Infantry Division. Gen. Harris then became Deputy Chief of Staff, Eighth Army in Korea.
He took over the Berlin Command, U.S. Army, Europe. In 1956 Gen. Harris took command of the 11th Airborne Division, Seventh U.S. Army, Europe. In April, 1960 Gen. Harris became Commanding General, U.S. Army Infantry Center and Commandant, U.S. Army Infantry School, Ft. Benning, GA. The next year he assumed command of I Corps (Group) and then Commanding General, Seventh U.S. Army, Europe. He received his promotion to Four Stars in 1962 awarded by President John F. Kennedy.
Gen. Harris has received more than 20 citations and decorations including the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, three Legion of Merit Awards, The Combat Infantry, Glider and Parachute Badges. He closed his military career as President of the Citadel, Charleston, S.C. in 1964, relieving Gen. Mark Clark of WWII fame.
WWII - European Theater of Operations/Central Europe Campaign (1945)
From Month/Year
March / 1945
To Month/Year
May / 1945
Description (Central Europe Campaign 22 March to 11 May 1945) Following the Battle of the Bulge the Allies had pushed through to the Rhine. On 22 March 1945 they began their assault across the river, and by I April the Ruhr was encircled. Armored columns raced across Germany and into Austria and Czechoslovakia. On 25 April, the day American and Russian forces met on the Elbe, strategic bombing operations came to an end. Germany surrendered on 7 May 1945 and operations officially came to an end the following day, although sporadic actions continued on the European front until 11 May.
