[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S5694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING CECIL E. HARRIS

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I recognize and congratulate 
the outstanding career of Cecil Harris, decorated Navy pilot. For his 
heroic actions in World War II, Cecil received the Navy Cross, Silver 
Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal. His bravery is 
again being honored in with the dedication of the Cecil E. Harris 
Highway in northeast South Dakota.
  This Cresbard native was enrolled in the Northern State Teachers 
College when he enlisted in the Navy in March 1941 and was sent to 
northern Africa. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor nine months 
later, Cecil's remarkable flying abilities were noted and he was moved 
to the Pacific to combat the Kamikaze attacks. Cecil shot down 24 enemy 
warplanes in 81 days while never taking a single bullet on his own 
plane, making him the second-ranking World War II Naval Ace.
  After the war, Cecil returned home to become a teacher and coach. In 
1951, he was called to Tennessee to train pilots for the Korean war. He 
was then promoted to captain and sent to the Pentagon. He retired in 
June 1967 after serving 27 years in the Navy. He passed away in 1981 
and is buried in Arlington Cemetery.
  This stretch of Highway 20 will bear the name of a dedicated and 
decorated war hero. Cecil Harris exemplified South Dakota values in his 
unwavering commitment to his country, and I commend the South Dakota 
Department of Transportation for honoring this outstanding 
individual.

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