Thomas Melvin Harris
"Mel"
Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number 464970
July 12, 1922
in New Albany, IN
Cecil Marvin Harris
William Marine “Billie” (Reiter) Harris
Georgetown High School
Goodyear Engineering Corp.
October 12, 1942
at Louisville, KY
December 12, 1942
from HQ Battalion, New River
March 8, 1945
Killed in action at Iwo Jima
March 8, 1945
Killed in action
2208 East Spring Street, New Albany, IN – address of wife, Mrs. Betty J. (Martin) Harris, and daughter Linda Kay Harris
Service & Campaigns
Boot camp at Parris Island with Fourth Recruit Battalion. Outposted to Training Camp New River, North Carolina. Joined Charlie Company, First Separate Battalion (Reinforced) from New River on 12 December 1942.
Outfit: C/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 605 (Heavy Machine Gunner)
Outfit: C/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 604 (Machine Gunner)
Important Events:
July 1, 1944 – wounded in action (shrapnel right side & chest, slight); not evacuated
Outfit: C/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS:604 (Machine Gunner)
Important Events:
July 29, 1944 – sick (diagnosis unknown); evacuated to hospital
August 8, 1944 – returned to duty
Outfit: C/1/24th Marines
Rank: Corporal
MOS: 505 (Ammunition NCO)
Important Events:
March 8, 1945 – killed in action (shrapnel wounds, neck) while directing fire against Japanese positions.
Awarded Silver Star Medal for actions on this date:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Thomas M. Harris (MCSN: 464970), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Squad Leader and Gunner serving with Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima on 7 March 1945. Observing that the advance of one platoon of a flanking rifle company was being held up by intense hostile machine gun fire Corporal Harris immediately led his squad into action through a hail of enemy mortar and small arms fire, delivering powerful overhead barrages upon the Japanese positions even after he was wounded and until he was struck down by a Japanese shell. By his courageous initiative, Corporal Harris enabled the flanking company to achieve its objective, and his heroic fighting spirit and disregard for his own personal safety reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Individual Decorations
Medal
Silver Star
Purple Heart
– with Gold Star
Campaign
Iwo Jima (March 8, 1945)
Saipan (July 1, 1944)
Iwo Jima (March 8, 1945)
Thomas is buried in Mount Tabor Cemetery, New Albany, Indiana
For more pictures and family information, visit “Thomas M. Harris” created by students at Floyd Central High School.
