FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
The Soldiers who fought in World War II were part of an incredible legacy that spoke of heroes and the great deeds they had performed in the service of a grateful nation.
There are fewer and fewer of those heroes left, but one such man was invited to Fort Sam Houston to be recognized for his achievements and service with a Lifetime Achievement Award - Darrell G. Harris.
Harris, 90, met with Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV, commanding general of U.S. Army North and senior commander of Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis, who presented the award on behalf of the 82nd Airborne Division Association. Also in attendance were many of his staff members, along with a host of other veterans representing organizations such as the 82nd Airborne Division Association, Special Forces Association, Combat Infantryman's Badge Association, Americal Division Veteran's Association and a representative from the 82nd Airborne Division's 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
"The 82nd really jumped on this opportunity to recognize D.G.," said Caldwell, of the support given by both the unit and its associated organizations. "The fact that you're still standing today after those jumps you've made and everything you have done is amazing. It gives us an incredible sense of pride to be able to recognize you for all you've done."
D.G. Harris was a member of the "Devils in Baggy Pants," otherwise known as the 504th Para. Inf. Regt., which he joined after enlisting in 1942 and subsequently spent 3.5 years with.
A recent member of the 504th PIR came to the presentation to see Harris as well and said he was honored for the opportunity.
Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Gammon, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the humanitarian and civil assistance branch, known as Beyond the Horizon, U.S. Army South, and fellow native of San Antonio, waited patiently for another chance to speak with Harris and shake his hand.
"It's always an honor to meet the guys who paved the way for us," Gammon said. "I met him before while I was at Fort Bragg."
Harris can practically write the book on airborne history for World War II. He captured much of his experiences during this time in his published memoirs. He has lived in San Antonio for the past 74 years since returning from the war and has a string of notable achievements attached to his long and active life.
To name a few, he was one of the charter members of the 82nd Airborne Division Association when it started in Europe in 1945. He was also one of the first to receive the Combat Infantryman's Badge for his service during Operation Husky. Overall, he conducted a total of three combat jumps. Of note, he was one of the first paratroopers in the U.S. Army when the 82nd Abn. Div. was changed from an infantry division to an airborne division under Gen. Matthew Ridgway.
Harris shared some of the lighter moments his outfit experienced during the war.
"When you are in a combat zone, you don't see very many things that are funny or amusing," he said.
He proceeded to explain how his patrol inadvertently came across a small group of German soldiers, who were just down a hill they were on. The Germans had not spotted them yet so they took advantage of the situation and fired first. However, one of the shots actually set off a signal flare in the back pocket of one of a German troop and what followed could have come straight from any physical comedy skit as the German was forced to remove his pants to get rid of the flare.
"There he was in the dead of winter naked from the waist down," Harris said with a chuckle.
It was moments like that which helped him through the war despite the realities that surrounded him daily. Despite those realities, he and his fellow Soldiers pushed through and were victorious, becoming legends and role-models for the millions of Americans back home.
"I am real proud to be one of the first paratroopers in the U.S. Army to have served our country," Harris said, "And not just here but in Europe as well. I am proud to have been part of all of it - and I really appreciate the presentation today."
Among those who attended were Maj. Roger Wang, 504th Para. Inf. Regt., 82nd Abn. Div.; Fred Castaneda, chairman, 82nd Abn. Div. Assoc. Alamo Chapter; Al Pike, trustee, 82nd Abn. Div. Assoc. Alamo Chap.; Don Bailey, secretary treasurer, 82nd Abn. Div. Assoc. Alamo Chap.; Tony Martinez, commander, CIB Assoc., Division 4 and H21 Southern Branch; Bill Cross, national commander, CIB Assoc.; Roger Gilmore, adjutant, Americal Div. Veterans Assoc.; Matt Rayson, 82nd Abn. Div. Assoc. past vice-chairman; Dennis Dezso, 82nd Abn. Div. Assoc.; Jon Ker, SF Assoc., Chap. 93 secretary; and James Savell, SF Assoc., Chap. 93 commander.