John R. Harris Retires

John R. Harris Retires

Chief Pay Clerk John Richard Harris retired on Thursday, June 1, from the U. S. Coast Guard after 30 years of service. He is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Taylor Harris and the brother of Mrs. Elizabeth DeBergn and Mrs. Jessie Cox of Rappahannock.

A picture of Mr. Harris sitting at his office desk, along with avery complimentary history of his past service, appeared in the June issue of the U. S. Coast Guard Magazine.

In the magazine article Mr. Harris is referred to as “Uncle John” or “Slick," as many knew him, and he was considered to be one of the service's best liked v. men. He enlisted first in the navy in June 1920 at Cleveeand, Ohio, as an apprentice seaman and “immediately he began to striket for yeoman," states the article. . * >

“In the year 1940, considered "a busy year for the Coast Guard, which was growing by leaps ani' bounds, promotions were rampant and “Uncle John" was among the first to be swept along with a rapid period of promotions. In .1944 he foond himself "in the capacity of Supply Officer on the USS Monticello. It seems that the revision period caught up with him and he dropped on-half stripe and reported aboard the Duane as a lieutenant, assigned to France and supply duties.”

Again in 1947, according to the article, the ladder of success lost a rung and he (was further reverted to the rank of Chief Warrant Pay Clerk with orders to proceed to the CG Training Station at Groton, Conn., where he was stationed until his retirement.

The future plans of Mr. Harris are to enter college under the GI Bill of Rights, now that his retirement has become effective. “ ‘Uncle John’ will never forget nor will his classmates forget him. From battle wagon to patrol boa*, from the 327’s to the world’s largest transports, he has brightened the corner of every vessel with his cheery smile and his friendly attitude,” states the Coast Guard Magazine.