Admiral Harry B. Harris, Jr., USN (Ret)
The Naval Order of the United States is pleased to announce that Admiral Harry B. Harris, Jr., USN (Ret.) has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 Distinguished Sea Service Award. Admiral Harris was recognized during our annual Congress in October.
The Distinguished Sea Service Award recognizes the exemplary service of a recently retired United States Naval Officer who, over their total career, distinguished them self and the naval services, such that they should be singled out as one who stands "First Among Firsts.”
Admiral Harris was born in Japan and reared in Tennessee and Florida. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1978. Graduate education include Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, Georgetown’s School of Foreign Served, Oxford and MIT’s Seminar21 fellowship.
His commands include VP-46; Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing One; Joint Task Force-Guantanamo; 6th Fleet, and Striking and Support Forces NATO. As Admiral he commanded US PACFLT and USPACOM.
Harris’ staff assignments include aide to Commander, US NAVFOR Japan, speechwriter for CJCS, Deputy CNO for Communication Networks (OPNAV N6), assistant to the CJCS where he was the chairman’s direct representative to the secretary of state with additional duties as the U.S. roadmap monitor for the Mid-East Peace Process.
He logged 4,400 flight hours, including over 400 combat hours, in maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. He is the first Navy flyer from this community to achieve four-star rank. His personal decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, (two awards), Navy Distinguished Service Medal (three awards), Defense Superior Service Medal (three awards), Legions of Merit, Bronze Star (two awards), Air Medal (one strike/flight), and the State Department’s Distinguished Honor Award. He has been decorated by the governments of France, Korea, Japan, Mongolia, Philippines, and Singapore.
Harris received the CIA’s Agency Seal Medal, Navy League’s Stephen Decatur Award, Ellis Island Medal of Honor, Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies Lifetime Achievement Award, Who's Who in Asian American Communities Alliance Foundation Community Spirit Award, and the Asian American Government Executives Network Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award. He is the Navy’s “Gray Owl,” the NFO who has held this designation for the longest period, and the “Old Goat,” the longest-serving Naval Academy graduate still on active duty.