[Thomas S. Harris oral history interview]

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Identifier2002-02-13-1139_AV_092Parts2002-02-13-1139_AV_092_01SourceThe American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews (2002-02-13-1139)CreatorAmerican Fighter Aces AssociationIntervieweeHarris, Thomas S.DescriptionAudio recording of an oral history with fighter ace Thomas S. Harris, April 16, 1990.

Text on label: "T. S. Harris. 4/16/90."AbstractFighter ace Thomas S. Harris discusses his military service with the United States Navy during World War II. He describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time with Fighting Squadron 18 (VF-18) and Fighting Squadron 17 (VF-17) in the Pacific Theater. Special focus on a combat mission on April 12, 1945 in which he downed a Kawanishi N1K-J “George” aircraft near Kikaishima, Japan.BiographyThomas S. Harris was born on April 21, 1921 in Tamaroa, Illinois. He joined the United States Navy in 1942 and was designated a Naval Aviator in May of that year. Harris served two combat tours in the Pacific Theater, one with Fighting Squadron 18 (VF-18) aboard the USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) and one with Fighting Squadron 17 (VF-17) aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12). He participated in the Tarawa invasion and the Okinawa Campaign, among other actions, and flew missions in the Central Pacific, South Pacific, and Japanese home islands. Harris remained in the military after the war and retired from the inactive Navy Reserve in 1959 at the rank of commander. He also worked as a test pilot for North American Aviation and the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation. Harris passed away in 2010.Creation Date1990-04-16SubjectAces (Fighter pilots)Air pilots, MilitaryFighter pilotsGrumman F6F Hellcat FamilyHarris, Thomas S.Kawanishi N1K1-J Shiden (Violet Lightning), George (Navy Interceptor Fighter)United States. NavyUnited States. Navy. Fighting Squadron 18World War, 1939-1945World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Japan--Okinawa IslandPlaceJapanKikaishima (Japan)Okinawa Island (Japan)Extent1 sound cassette (12 min., 13 sec.) : analog ; 4 x 2.5 inOriginal Formatoral histories (literary works)audiocassettesBibliographic CitationThe American Fighter Aces Association Materials/The Museum of FlightRightsIn copyright

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Collection AreaArchivesOral Histories[Thomas S. Harris oral history interview]

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