Stanley Harris
April 11, 1919 – August 5, 2001
Class: 43-K-SE
Graduation date: 12/5/1943
Unit: 301 Fighter Squadro
Service # 0817587
Stanley Lionel Harris was born on April 11, 1919 in St. Paul MN. His father, Joseph T. Harris was a fireman; his mother Clotiel Noel Harris was a homemaker.
After graduation from Washington High School, he entered the University of Minnesota. On December 5, 1943, after two years of college, he enlisted in the Army Air Force and was sent to Moten Airfield in Tuskegee, Alabama. In March of 1943 he graduated from flying school and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He was sent to Ramitelli, Italy to join the 301st Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group – a part of the 15th Air Force.
The planes assigned to the 332nd were P-51 Mustangs, the first fighter planes able to fly long distances without refueling. Their mission was to escort the bombers as they flew deep into Germany to bomb and strafe the countryside.
Stanley returned to the United States in April 1945. He had flown 77 missions. He received the following medals:
- Air Medal with 1 silver and I bronze oak cluster.
- American Theatre Ribbon
- EAME (for service in Europe, Africa and the Middle East)
- 2 Overseas Service Bars
- Victory Medal
- Distinguished Flying Cross
Stanley returned to the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. He was the first Black engineer hired by Minneapolis Honeywell. He left Honeywell and moved to Sunnyvale, California where he worked for Lockheed Missiles and Space Division for 37 years.
On August 7, 1945, Stanley married Juanita Schuck. They have 8 children – 6 sons and 2 daughters: Stanley, Jr., Allen, John, and Juanita, Jr. of San Jose, California; Hugh of Hayward, California; Noel Paige of Washington, D.C.; Robert, of West Hartford, CT.; William of Vancouver, Washington.
His name has been inscribed on the National Aviation and Space Exploration Wall of Honor. Stanley died on August 5, 2001.
Group photo
Pictured from left, 1st row, 2nd Lt. Howard C. Gamble, Charleston, W. Va.;2nd Lt. Reid E. Thompson, New Rochelle, N.Y.; 2nd Lt. William R. Lewis, Boston, Mass.; 2nd Lt. Frederick D. Funderburg, Monticello, Ga.
2nd row, 2nd Lt. Wellington G. Irving, Bolzoni, Miss.; 2nd Lt. Robert J. Friend, New York City; 2nd Lt. Clarence D. Lester, Chicago; 2nd Lt. Henry Pollard, Buffalo, N.Y.; 2nd Lt. Stanley L. Harris, St. Paul, Minn.
3rd row, 2nd Lt. Othel Dickson, Coffeyville, Kansas; 2nd Lt. Lloyd S. Hathcock, Dayton, Ohio; 2nd Lt. Clarence L. Bradford, St. Louise, Mo.; Flight Officer William L. Hill, Huntington, W. Va.; 2nd Lt. Robert H. Daniels Jr., Corona, N.Y.
