William Kelly Harrison, Jr.

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.

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.

Early career William Kelly Harrison Jr. was born on September 7, 1895, in Washington, D.C. as the son of Naval officer and future Medal of Honor recipient, William Kelly Harrison and his wife Kate Harris. He was a direct descendant of President William Henry Harrison. Following high school, William Jr. received a senatorial appointment from Texas to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in May 1913.

Ridgway agreed and announced the change of command to Washington, where it was confirmed in May 1952, when Harrison was appointed senior member of the Korean Armistice Delegation. He also nominated Harrison for the temporary rank of lieutenant general, but Armed Service Committee rejected the promotion. International Association of Democratic Lawyers claimed that Harrison had overseen the Sinchon Massacre, an alleged massacre of civilians which North Korea claims was perpetrated by the US and South Korea. The report claimed that a General "Harrison" had personally carried out atrocities and photographed them. Harrison was reportedly shocked by the claim. Investigative reports have concluded there was no Harrison in Sinchon at the time, and that this was either a pseudonym of someone else or a false claim.

Later service

Upon his return stateside, Harrison was welcomed as a hero, who brought peace in Korea. He attended many parades and banquets, where he featured as speaker and was given honorary degrees from Wheaton College in Illinois and Houghton College in New York. Harrison was also featured as speaker at the Easter sunrise service at the famous Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California.

He then arrived at the Panama Canal Zone on June 16, 1954, and assumed duties as the commander-in-chief of the United States Caribbean Command with headquarters in Quarry Heights. His main task was the defense of the Panama Canal and its coast, which was divided into Atlantic and Pacific Sectors. Harrison arrived in a country with an unstable political situation, because a few months after his arrival, the President of Panama, José Antonio Remón Cantera was assassinated and his successor, José Ramón Guizado, was arrested for conspiracy and murder.

Harrison participated in many ceremonies including the Inauguration of President Ernesto de la Guardia in October 1956 (as a member of the United States delegation). He also hosted President Dwight D. Eisenhower and then-Vice President Richard Nixon in 1955.

He instituted military training exercises, both amphibious and paratroop, in the Canal Zone and forces came from the United States. Harrison intended to demonstrate to Panama's neighbors the capabilities of the United States Army. Harrison was succeeded by Lieutenant General Robert M. Montague at the end of January 1957 and returned to the United States, awaiting retirement. For his service in that capacity, Harrison was decorated by Brazil, Panama, Chile and Peru.

Retirement

Harrison retired from the Army on February 28, 1957, after almost 40 years of service and settled in Chicago, where he served as executive director of the Evangelical Child Welfare Agency until 1960. Harrison served as president of the Officers' Christian Fellowship from 1954 to 1972 and as president emeritus from 1972 until his death. He was also a member of the Lownes Free Church and the Alumni Association of the United States Military Academy and as a trustee of The Stony Brook School in Stony Brook, New York.

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