b. 26/04/1886 Savannah, Tennessee. d. 27/01/1952 Savannah, Tennessee.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 24/09/1911 Mundang, Philippines.
Philippine Insurrection Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the United States Navy, enlisting on November 23, 1908, and rising to the rating of Coxswain. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery while serving on board the iron gunboat USS Pampanga (PG-39) in the Philippine Islands on September 24, 1911. His citation reads “While attached to the USS Pampanga, Harrison was one of a shore party moving in to capture Mundang, on the island of Basilan, P.I. Harrison instantly responded to the calls for help when the advance scout party investigating a group of nipa huts close to the trail was suddenly taken under point-blank fire and rushed by approximately 20 enemy Moros attacking from inside the huts and from other concealed positions. Armed with a double-barreled shotgun, he concentrated his blasting fire on the outlaws, destroying three of the Moros and assisting in the rout of the remainder. By his aggressive charging of the enemy under heavy fire and in the face of great odds, Harrison contributed materially to the success of the engagement.”
He was honorably discharged from the Navy on October 17, 1912, having served on board the ships “USS Pensacola”, “USS Concord”, “USS Mohican”, “USS Suffolk”, “USS Cleveland”, “USS Pampanga” and the “USS Monterey”. His Medal was awarded to him on December 13, 1911.
MOH CITATION:
While attached to the U.S.S. Pampang, Harrison was one of a shore party moving in to capture Mundang, on the island of Basilan, P.I., 24 September 1911. Harrison instantly responded to the calls for help when the advance scout party investigating a group of nipa huts close to the trail was suddenly taken under point-blank fire and rushed by approximately 20 enemy Moros attacking from inside the huts and from other concealed positions. Armed with a double-barreled shotgun, he concentrated his blasting fire on the outlaws, destroying three of the Moros and assisting in the rout of the remainder. By his aggressive charging of the enemy under heavy fire and in the face of great odds, Harrison contributed materially to the success of the engagement.
BURIAL LOCATION: SAVANNAH CEMETERY, SAVANNAH, TENNESSEE.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.