William Kelly Harrison Jr. | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | "Billy" |
Born | Washington, D.C., United States | September 7, 1895
Died | May 25, 1987 Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, United States | (aged 91)
Buried | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Army |
Years of service | 1917–1957 |
Rank | Lieutenant General |
Service number | 0-5279 |
Unit | Cavalry Branch |
Commands | U.S. Caribbean Command 9th Infantry Division 2nd Infantry Division |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit Silver Star Bronze Star Medal (2) Purple Heart |
Relations | William Kelly Harrison (father) |
Other work | President, Officers' Christian Fellowship |
William Kelly Harrison Jr. (September 7, 1895 – May 25, 1987) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Army with the rank of Lieutenant General. A graduate of the United States Military Academy, he rose through the ranks to brigadier general during World War II and distinguished himself in combat several times, while serving as the assistant division commander of the 30th Infantry Division during the Normandy Campaign and the Battle of the Bulge. Harrison was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest decoration of the United States military for bravery in combat, for his actions during Operation Cobra.[1][2]
Following the War, Harrison remained in the Army and after several stateside assignments, he was ordered to the Far East, where he served as head of the United Nations Command armistice delegation in the Korean War. He participated in the truce talks, which concluded with the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953. Harrison completed his career as the commanding general of U.S. Caribbean Command in early 1957.[3][4][5]