Author Topic: I get to shake this man's hand tomorrow (Read 680 times)

Holden McGroin · « **on:** June 23, 2005, 12:50:14 PM »

We are having a dedication ceremony at our local Veteran's Park mid afternoon Friday.

Quote

Lieutenant Colonel Bill Harris

Bill Harris served four years in the Navy before joining the Army Air Forces. He received his wings and commission as a second lieutenant at Luke Field, Arizona on 30 October 1942 and assigned to the 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group.

Based in New Caledonia, the group sent detachments to Guadalcanal to escort bombers and attack Japanese bases on New Georgia, Bougainville and the Russell Islands.

Flying a P-38G, Harris scored his first victory on 7 June 1943 by destroying two Zeros over the Russells. On the 16th Harris shot down two Zeros over Guadalcanal during a noontime attack by the Japanese. On 4 October he claimed a Zero on a B-24 escort to Kahili to become an ace. After downing a Zero three days later, on the 10th he was credited with two Zeros on a morning mission to Kahili and that afternoon downed one Zeke confirmed and shared a probable.

Promoted to captain, in 27 October Harris became a double ace when he destroyed a Japanese dive-bomber over Treasury Island. Flying out of the Treasury Islands on 9 February 1944, Harris was credited with three Zeros on a sweep over the Admiralties, followed by another pair of Zekes over Vanakanau Airstrip on the 15th.

Promoted to lieutenant colonel, Harris was sent to the Philippines to command the 18th Fighter Group in the spring of 1945. On 22 June he downed an Oscar over Mandai Airdrome to become the top P-38 ace in the Thirteenth Air Force. Tally Record: 16 confirmed

Skuzzy · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2005, 01:11:43 PM »

That is just awesome Holden.

OOZ662 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2005, 01:13:41 PM »

Let go of your groin first.

Waffle · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2005, 01:34:35 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Skuzzy
That is just awesome Holden.

His avatartd or the post?

Maverick · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2005, 01:42:09 PM »

I'm envious. ~~to that gentleman.~~

Yeager · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2005, 01:46:23 PM »

If you can find a way through cognizant osmosis, thank him for me!

Folks like that wont be around much longer.

john9001 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2005, 01:58:20 PM »

holden , tell him we all said high.

rpm · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2005, 04:42:40 PM »

Wow, what a great pilot! Give him a huge ~~from all of us.~~

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #8 on:** June 27, 2005, 10:05:52 PM »

Pretty cool. We named on of our boats after him, and had the commanding officer of Kingsley Feild read the paragraph I first posted.

When you think of heros, you think of someone bigger than life, but I watched this 89 year old man christen our club's new boat, and he was maybe 5' 6" and 140 lbs.

He is one of these guys who I might be behind in the line at the supermarket and get silently frustrated because he's looking through his loose change to pay for groceries.

No John Wayne persona, just a regular guy.

After meeting this man, it makes me take an extra look around and wonder what other heroes are among us.

Biggest 5-6 140# man I ever met.

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #9 on:** June 27, 2005, 10:10:03 PM »

Oh yeah, I asked him why he changed services from the Navy to the AAF.

He told me, "I wanted to fly, but I didn't want to fly over water, so I joined the AAF. Then the sent me to the Phillipines."

FiLtH · « **Reply #10 on:** June 27, 2005, 10:12:06 PM »

Rgr that Holden...I always try to treat old folks with patience and respect. For all I know he did stuff I dont have the guts to dream about.

Seeker · « **Reply #11 on:** June 28, 2005, 01:09:20 AM »

Nice one, Holden.

Guppy35 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 28, 2005, 02:19:33 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Holden McGroin
Pretty cool. We named on of our boats after him, and had the commanding officer of Kingsley Feild read the paragraph I first posted.

When you think of heros, you think of someone bigger than life, but I watched this 89 year old man christen our club's new boat, and he was maybe 5' 6" and 140 lbs.

He is one of these guys who I might be behind in the line at the supermarket and get silently frustrated because he's looking through his loose change to pay for groceries.

No John Wayne persona, just a regular guy.

After meeting this man, it makes me take an extra look around and wonder what other heroes are among us.

Biggest 5-6 140# man I ever met.

Way too cool. I know that feeling about them being bigger then life. When I was chasing Spit XII pilots and finally got to meet a bunch in England, I was surprised that at 5'10" I was taller then all of them. And like you I found them to be about the classiest people I'd ever met.

Dan/CorkJr
Image of Col Harris in his 38 later in the war.

Nilsen · « **Reply #13 on:** June 28, 2005, 02:29:38 AM »

Sounds great Holden

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #14 on:** June 28, 2005, 03:31:37 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Guppy35
Way too cool. I know that feeling about them being bigger then life. When I was chasing Spit XII pilots and finally got to meet a bunch in England, I was surprised that at 5'10" I was taller then all of them. And like you I found them to be about the classiest people I'd ever met.

Dan/CorkJr
Image of Col Harris in his 38 later in the war.

You sure that's him? I searched a lot before I met him, to get his fighter group number, AF number rank and commendations, but found out just the bare minimum.

The Air base got me more, but I have no WW2 photos save your post. if your sure, it's a gem. Where/ how did you find it?