Walter Rolland Harris
First Lieutenant Walter R. “Red” Harris was a Marine Corps fighter pilot who flew with VMF-214, the “Black Sheep.”
He was last seen in a dogfight just south of Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 27 September 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve (Aviation)
Service Number O-17831
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
History
Walter was born in Sterling, Nebraska on 25 June 1920. His parents were Lloyd and Anna (Keiser) Harris; he had two older siblings, Gwendolyn and Paul. Walter grew up in Sterling, and after graduating from Sterling High School in 1938, attended Hebron Junior College on a pre-med program.
While at Hebron, Walter met Maurine Maples and the two struck up a relationship. They would eventually be married on Christmas Day, 1942, while Walter was stationed in Florida.
Following graduation from Hebron in 1940, Walter enrolled in the University of Nebraska to study medicine, but withdrew in 1941 to enter flight training with the US Navy.
Harris enlisted in the Navy on 6 February 1942, intending to become a pilot. He trained at NATC Jacksonville, Florida and earned his fighter pilot’s wings and his commission as a Marine Corps second lieutenant on 15 January 1943.
“Red” Harris deployed to the Pacific as a pilot with VMF-212, and in July of 1943 became one of the original members of VMF-214 – the famous “Black Sheep” Squadron.
On 27 September 1943, 1Lt. Harris piloted F4U-1 Bureau Number 56016 on a mission to escort B-24 bombers to Kahili. The mission was “poorly organized” and the Black Sheep got the word very late – with only 15 minutes from notification to takeoff. Twelve planes made the flight; mechanical trouble forced two pilots of Harris’ division to return to base. The remaining ten caught up to the bombers over Bougainville and were attacked by dozens of Japanese fighters.
Harris and 1Lt. William Case managed to break free and were heading for safety when they saw another group of Japanese fighters attacking the bomber formation. The two Marines dove into the fray, and a “Zeke” got onto Harris’ tail. Case was hit several times, and as he dived away he saw four airplanes heading for the water – Harris, he thought, with Japanese on his tail.
Case then saw an airplane hit the water about thirty miles south of the Shortland Islands, but was too far away to see if it was American or Japanese. He made an emergency landing in his battered fighter, and returned to his home base later that day.
Red Harris did not return from the mission, and was reported as missing in action. His status was changed to “declared dead” on 28 September 1944. Harris was awarded the Air Medal for bravery on his last flight, and received a posthumous promotion to captain.
Decorations
Air Medal
Purple Heart
