Harry Harris
Encyclopedia
Harry B. Harris, Jr. is a vice admiral
in the United States Navy
who currently serves as the Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
.
, and reared in Tennessee
and Florida
.
He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1978. After flight training, he was assigned to Patrol Squadron FORTY FOUR (VP-44), homeported at Naval Air Station Brunswick
, Maine
where he flew the P-3C Orion
, deploying throughout the Atlantic and Mediterranean. His subsequent operational tours include assignment as a Tactical Action Officer onboard USS Saratoga (CV-60)
, when CV-60 participated in the Achille Lauro
incident and strikes against Libya; Operations Officer in Patrol Squadron FOUR (VP-4) at Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, deploying to Southwest Asia during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm; and three tours with Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 1/CTF57/CTF 72, the latter tour as the wing's Commodore, homeported in Kami Seya, Japan. In 2002, he reported to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
|U.S. Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain, serving as Assistant Chief of Staff (ACOS) for Operations, Plans, and Pol-Mil Affairs (N3/N5), where he was responsible for the planning and execution of the Naval component’s portion of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
His command assignments include Patrol Squadron FORTY SIX (VP-46) at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
, Washington, and Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 1/CTF57/CTF 72 at Kami Seya, Japan. While in command of PATRECONWING 1 and Task Force 57, he was heavily involved in Operation Enduring Freedom, flying nearly 1,000 P-3 and EP-3 combat sorties over Afghanistan.
Vice Admiral Harris’ shore assignments include Aide and Flag Lieutenant to the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan, in Yokosuka, Japan; duty on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations
as a strategist in the Strategy and Concepts Branch; and Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
His educational assignments include selection for the Navy’s Harvard/Tufts Program, where he graduated with a master's of Public Administration from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government
in 1992. Subsequently selected as an Arthur S. Moreau Scholar, he studied international relations and ethics of war at Oxford and Georgetown Universities, earning a master of Arts in National Security Studies from the latter in 1994. While at Georgetown, he was also Fellow in the School of Foreign Service.
Vice Admiral Harris has logged 4400 flight hours, including over 400 combat hours, in U.S. and foreign maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. His personal decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
, the Defense Superior Service Medal
(3 awards), the Legion of Merit
(3 awards), the Bronze Star Medal
(2 awards), the Meritorious Service Medal
(4 awards), the Air Medal
, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (5 awards), the Navy Achievement Medal, and various campaign and unit decorations. He is a recipient of the Navy League’s Stephen Decatur Award for Operational Competence.
in Cuba.
Harris was notably in charge when three prisoners, Mani Shaman Turki al-Habardi Al-Utaybi
, Salah Ali Abdullah Ahmed al-Salami and Yasser Talal Al Zahrani
, died in the custody of US forces
. The deaths were presented as suicides, and Harris further stated
On 18 January 2010, Scott Horton of Harper’s Magazine published a story denouncing al-Salami's, Al-Utaybi's and Al-Zahrani's deaths as accidental manslaughter during a torture session, and the official account as a cover-up.
A report, Death in Camp Delta, was published by the Center for Policy & Research of Seton Hall University School of Law
, under the supervision of its director, Professor Mark Denbeaux
, attorney for two Guantanamo detainees, denouncing numerous inconsistencies in the official accounts of these deaths.
Vice admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, and the United States Maritime Service, vice admiral is a three-star flag officer, with the pay grade of...
in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
who currently serves as the Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters...
.
Early life
Vice Admiral Harry B. Harris, Jr., was born in Yokosuka, JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, and reared in Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
and Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
.
He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1978. After flight training, he was assigned to Patrol Squadron FORTY FOUR (VP-44), homeported at Naval Air Station Brunswick
Naval Air Station Brunswick
Naval Air Station Brunswick , also known as NAS Brunswick, was a military airport located northeast of Brunswick, Maine. The base was home to a number of Navy-operated Maritime patrol aircraft...
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
where he flew the P-3C Orion
P-3 Orion
The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft developed for the United States Navy and introduced in the 1960s. Lockheed based it on the L-188 Electra commercial airliner. The aircraft is easily recognizable by its distinctive tail stinger or...
, deploying throughout the Atlantic and Mediterranean. His subsequent operational tours include assignment as a Tactical Action Officer onboard USS Saratoga (CV-60)
USS Saratoga (CV-60)
USS Saratoga , was one of four Forrestal- class supercarriers built for the US Navy in the 1950s. Saratoga was the sixth US Navy ship, and the second aircraft carrier, to be named for the Battle of Saratoga in the American Revolutionary War.Commissioned in 1956, she spent most of her career in...
, when CV-60 participated in the Achille Lauro
MS Achille Lauro
MS Achille Lauro was a cruise ship based in Naples, Italy. Built between 1939 and 1947 as MS Willem Ruys, a passenger liner for the Rotterdamsche Lloyd. It is most remembered for its 1985 hijacking...
incident and strikes against Libya; Operations Officer in Patrol Squadron FOUR (VP-4) at Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, deploying to Southwest Asia during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm; and three tours with Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 1/CTF57/CTF 72, the latter tour as the wing's Commodore, homeported in Kami Seya, Japan. In 2002, he reported to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
United States Naval Forces Central Command is the United States Navy element of United States Central Command . Its area of responsibility includes the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, and Arabian Sea...
|U.S. Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain, serving as Assistant Chief of Staff (ACOS) for Operations, Plans, and Pol-Mil Affairs (N3/N5), where he was responsible for the planning and execution of the Naval component’s portion of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
His command assignments include Patrol Squadron FORTY SIX (VP-46) at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is a naval air station located in two sections around Oak Harbor, Washington, USA. It was commissioned as an active U.S. Navy installation on 21 September 1942....
, Washington, and Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 1/CTF57/CTF 72 at Kami Seya, Japan. While in command of PATRECONWING 1 and Task Force 57, he was heavily involved in Operation Enduring Freedom, flying nearly 1,000 P-3 and EP-3 combat sorties over Afghanistan.
Vice Admiral Harris’ shore assignments include Aide and Flag Lieutenant to the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan, in Yokosuka, Japan; duty on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
as a strategist in the Strategy and Concepts Branch; and Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
His educational assignments include selection for the Navy’s Harvard/Tufts Program, where he graduated with a master's of Public Administration from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
in 1992. Subsequently selected as an Arthur S. Moreau Scholar, he studied international relations and ethics of war at Oxford and Georgetown Universities, earning a master of Arts in National Security Studies from the latter in 1994. While at Georgetown, he was also Fellow in the School of Foreign Service.
Vice Admiral Harris has logged 4400 flight hours, including over 400 combat hours, in U.S. and foreign maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. His personal decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast...
, the Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
(3 awards), the 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...
(3 awards), the Bronze Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
(2 awards), the Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
(4 awards), the Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (5 awards), the Navy Achievement Medal, and various campaign and unit decorations. He is a recipient of the Navy League’s Stephen Decatur Award for Operational Competence.
Navy Distinguished Service MedalNavy Distinguished Service MedalThe Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast...
Defense Superior Service MedalDefense Superior Service MedalThe Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
with two Gold Stars
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe 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 Gold Stars
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with Gold Star
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with three Gold Stars
Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four Gold Stars
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement MedalAchievement MedalThe Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service...
Director, Information, Plans and Security
In August 2004, in his first Flag assignment, he reported to the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations as Director, Information, Plans and Security Division, responsible for Navy current operations and anti-terrorism/force protection policy.Commander, Joint Task Force Guantanamo
In March 2006, he assumed command of Joint Task Force GuantanamoJoint Task Force Guantanamo
Joint Task Force Guantanamo is a U.S. military joint task force based at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba on the southeastern end of the island. JTF-GTMO falls under US Southern Command...
in Cuba.
Harris was notably in charge when three prisoners, Mani Shaman Turki al-Habardi Al-Utaybi
Mani Shaman Turki al-Habardi Al-Utaybi
Mani Shaman Turki al-Habardi Al-Utaybi was a citizen of Saudi Arabia, who was held in extrajudicial detention in the United States Guantanamo Bay detainment camps, in Cuba...
, Salah Ali Abdullah Ahmed al-Salami and Yasser Talal Al Zahrani
Yasser Talal Al Zahrani
Yasser Talal al Zahrani was a citizen of Saudi Arabia who was held in extrajudicial detention in the United States Guantanamo Bay detainment camps, in Cuba.His Guantanamo Internment Serial Number was 93....
, died in the custody of US forces
Guantanamo suicide attempts
On June 10, 2006 three prisoners held by the United States at the Guantanamo Bay detainment camps allegedly committed suicide. The United States Department of Defense stopped reporting Guantanamo suicide attempts in 2002....
. The deaths were presented as suicides, and Harris further stated
On 18 January 2010, Scott Horton of Harper’s Magazine published a story denouncing al-Salami's, Al-Utaybi's and Al-Zahrani's deaths as accidental manslaughter during a torture session, and the official account as a cover-up.
A report, Death in Camp Delta, was published by the Center for Policy & Research of Seton Hall University School of Law
Seton Hall University School of Law
The Seton Hall University School of Law is part of Seton Hall University, and is located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Seton Hall Law School is the only private law school in New Jersey, and is the top-ranked of the three law schools in the state...
, under the supervision of its director, Professor Mark Denbeaux
Mark Denbeaux
Mark P. Denbeaux is a law professor at Seton Hall University School of Law, Director of the Center for Policy and Research at Seton Hall Law School, author of a standard law text, and practicing attorney of counsel in the family law firm of Denbeaux & Denbeaux.Denbeaux served as senior attorney in...
, attorney for two Guantanamo detainees, denouncing numerous inconsistencies in the official accounts of these deaths.