Re: Cecil Harris
 

Hey Guys,

I'm the author of the Cecil Harris Wiki page. I just saw this thread; I did not know about the assist credit changing in 1943 but it makes the numbers sensible to me, finally. I've made the appropriate changes to the info. box on the page.

Dr. Olynyk, I've seen one document from RG38 but it didn't break out Harris's credits. It's just a Marine Air Group 12 war diary listing the action on 1 April 1943. Do you happen to remember any more information about the documents from that record group? I previously contacted Mr. Tillman and he couldn't recall the specific item he looked at concerning Harris's one credited kill. I'd love to put eyes on these primary sources.

Thank you all for showing interest in Cecil Harris. I volunteer at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, and I've put a fair amount of time into Harris research. I even have in hand facsimiles of his Medal of Honor recommendation, though he was never ultimately given the award. And Frank, thank you for the wonderful work you've done.

Best,
-Mike

Re: Cecil Harris
 

Hello Mike,

your wikipedia entry in excellent in its comprehensive content and choice of words.
However, I think the Chapter "Snapshot" needs slight adjustment to the kill list.

Keep up that good work !

Michael

Re: Cecil Harris
 

Good afternoon Gentlemen,

currently, I'm working through Barrett Tillman's exellent "Hellcat Aces of World War 2". It specifies that Harris had one F4F kill and 22 F6F kills. I still wonder if the missing 24th kill is an hitherto unknown F4F kill or his assist on 21Oct44. I'll keep at it !

Cheers,

Michael

Re: Cecil Harris
 

Cecil Harris's first two kills were on the F4F with VF-27 while based at Guadalcanal, on April 1, 1943. The documentation is poor but convincing to me.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Cecil Harris
 

Good evening Frank,

thanks for your post.
Barrett Tillman's book is from 1996. I wonder if he deems Harris' score to be 24 since then.

Have a good week,

Michael

Re: Cecil Harris
 

I've known and worked with Frank Olynyk for about 40 years, and his word is pretty much gospel.

Re: Cecil Harris
 

Hello Barrett,

it's cool you join the forum.
So far I have read

• Hellcat Aces of World War 2
• SBD Dauntless Units of World War 2
• The Wilder Wildcat
• Wildcat Aces of World War 2

and I liked each of them very much.

I also acquired

• Helldiver Units of World War 2
• TBF/TBM Avenger Units of World War 2
• TBD Devastator Units of the US Navy

I look forward to working them through.

Have a nice Sunday,

Michael

Re: Cecil Harris
 

Good evening Barrett,

I read "Helldiver Units of World War 2", "TBF/TBM Avenger Units of World War 2" and "TBD Devastator Units of the US Navy" and enjoyed them very much.
Usually 6 air-to-air-kills are attributed to the TBD Devastator. I found five:
10Mar42 shared by Parker/Furer/Bottjer (VT5)
8May42 by VT2
8May42 by VT2
4Jun42 by Robert Laub (VT6)
4Jun by VT3
Can you tell me the sixth (or the claimers of VT2 and/or VT3) ?

Best greetings from Switzerland,

Michael