[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 133 (Friday, August 1, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S5203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             REMEMBERING COLONEL CARLYLE ``SMITTY'' HARRIS

  Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, this month, Mississippi said farewell to 
Col. Carlyle ``Smitty'' Harris--a war hero, a family man, and a 
community leader who left a storied legacy.
  Many Mississippians know the story of Colonel Harris. In April 1965, 
during a mission over North Vietnam, Colonel Harris' F-105 was shot 
down by enemy artillery. He became the sixth American prisoner of war 
in that conflict and would spend nearly 8 years in captivity. Colonel 
Harris approached imprisonment with courage and resilience. He 
introduced his fellow POWs to the now-famous ``Tap Code,'' which 
allowed them to communicate with one another. His ingenuity helped 
sustain morale amid vile prison conditions.
  Colonel Harris maintained a sharp mind during and after his military 
deployment. He was committed to a lifetime of learning and had a resume 
to prove it. While serving on the faculty of the Air War College, he 
completed two degrees. He continued his education at the University of 
Mississippi Law School and returned to the classroom several years 
later for a degree in banking.
  Colonel Harris had a demanding work schedule, but he made time to 
volunteer. He approached numerous local leadership roles with the same 
dedication he gave to his Air Force and civilian careers. For years, he 
committed much of his spare time to philanthropic causes, including the 
Tupelo Rotary Club, the North Mississippi Medical Center, and the Boys 
and Girls Club.
  Although Colonel Harris lived a remarkable life, those who knew him 
recall a man with a down-to-earth character. Despite his professional 
accomplishments, he was most proud of his role as a loving husband, 
father, and grandfather.
  I join my fellow Mississippians in saluting Colonel ``Smitty'' 
Harris, remembering with gratitude and admiration his life of sacrifice 
and leadership.

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