Ernest O. Harris
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

On D-Day, 6 June 1944, First Lieutenant Ernest O. Harris was serving with the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division, First U.S. Army.

Just after midnight of that day, the 502nd PIR, flying out of Membury and Greenham Common air bases in the first wave to depart, headed for Drop Zone A. The 502nd’s mission was to secure two northern causeways leading inland from Utah Beach and destroy a German battery of 122 mm howitzers near Ste Martin-de-Varreville. 1LT Harris’ unit was in action against German forces after being dropped into the wrong area. 1LT Harris’ courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

1LT Harris was killed in action on 11 June 1944 while part of the Division's effort to capture the town of Carentan.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and Bronze Star
World War II Victory Medal
Croix de Guerre with Palm (France)
Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge with Combat Jump Star

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

First Lieutenant (Infantry) Ernest O. Harris (ASN: 0-463807), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 502d Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944. First Lieutenant Harris' intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 80 (1944)

Burial

First Lieutenant Ernest O. Harris is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, Departement du Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France in Plot F, Row 16, Grave 9.

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56645363