Veteran of the Month – Captain John R. “Reg” Harrison

NAME: John R.”Reg” Harrison
ADDRESS: Morris, CT
MILTARY BRANCH: US Air Force, US Army
MILITARY JOB: Pilot
RANK: Captain

ASSIGNMENTS:
ATC 3640 Pilot Training Wing/3641 Student Squadron
8TH AIR FORCE
SAC 99th Bomb Wing, Westover/348th Hvy Bomb Squadron
43rd Strat Wing, Andersen AFB, Guam
307th Strat Wing, Utapao, Thailand/Westover S-09
449TH Bomb Wing, Kincheloe AFB, Mi/716th Bomb Squadron

FOREIGN WAR: Vietnam
ACTIVE SERVICE: 05/27/1969-09/28/1978

DUTIES
B52 Evaluator Pilot
B52 Instructor Pilot
Combat Engineer

CAMPAIGNS
1. Commando Hunt V
Lam Son 719
2. Commando Hunt VI
3. Commando Hunt VII
Laotian campaign
Cambodian campaign
Northern Thailand campaign
4. Vietnam Cease Fire
Linebacker I
Linebacker II

DECORATIONS:

• Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters + 2 “V” devices for (heroism)
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Air Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters
• Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V device (valor) + 9 Oak Leaf Clusters
• Combat Readiness Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for fighting in Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand
• Vietnam Service Medal with 4 bronze service stars
• Army Service Ribbon
• Air Force Longevity Service Award with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal
• Small Arms Expert Marksman Ribbon
• Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
• Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
• State of Connecticut Wartime Service Medal

John R. “Reg” Harrison was born and raised in Morris, Ct. He graduated from Wamogo Regional High School, Litchfield, CT in the class of 1961. He went on to earn a B.A. degree from Marietta College, Class of 1966. While in college, he joined the U.S. Army Reserve and served as a Combat Engineer from 1965 to 1969, attaining the rank of Specialist 4th Class. Shortly after, he transferred to the U.S. Air Force where he held the rank of Technical Sergeant and attended U. S. Air Force Officer’s Candidate School.

In 1969, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He was selected for Pilot Training and earned his silver wings as a Fighter Pilot in 1970 at Laredo Air Force Base in Laredo, Texas. After his training as a B52 Pilot, he began combat tours in Vietnam, completing a total of 157 missions during 4 full combat tours as a B52 pilot. He returned to the U.S. in August 1973, where he rose to the rank of Captain and was assigned as an Instructor Pilot and an Evaluator Pilot in the B52.

Captain Harrison was severely injured in 1976 and was medically retired in 1977. He retired to Morris, CT with his wife Susan where they raised their son Adam and daughter Katie.

Captain Harrison joined AMVETS Post 24 in Torrington, Ct. in 2003 and served as their State Executive Committeeman for 6 years before becoming Department of Connecticut Adjutant in 2009 AND 2010.He then became Department of Connecticut 1st Vice Commander in 2011. He was elected to be the Commander of AMVETS Department of Connecticut for the 2012 to 2013 term. He has served as a member of the AMVETS Department of Connecticut Service Foundation since 2004 and is currently serving as the President of the Foundation.

He is the Colonel in command of the First Litchfield Artillery Regiment – a private militia chartered in Connecticut under state statutes. Additionally, Captain Harrison is the President of the American Artillery Association – a National Organization for owners and shooters of antique artillery pieces

Captain Harrison currently serves as the Adjutant and Finance Officer of American Legion Post 173 in Morris, CT, He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution Governor Oliver Wolcott Branch in Litchfield County, and a Life Member of the following organizations:

• Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
• VFW
• Military Officers Association
• Distinguished Flying Cross Society
• Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association (aka the “RIVER RATS).”