Barksdale dedicates house in honor of General Harris

Published July 20, 2010
By Senior Airman Alexandra M. Boutte
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Barksdale Air Force Base officially dedicated one if its historical houses located on Shreveport Road in the name of retired Lt. Gen. Edgar S. Harris Jr., former Eighth Air Force commander, July 14.

When visitors walk up the stairs to the house, they will be greeted by a plaque honoring General Harris.

The house will also have a canvas of General Harris' official photo placed above the mantle in the family room.

General Harris is a highly decorated command pilot with more than 7,900 flying hours. He spent the majority of his 33-year career in Strategic Air Command where he served as a staff officer at various command levels.

Among his many achievements, he was the first in the Air Force history to pilot the KC-10 Extender from California to Barksdale for field service testing.

"It is because of these accomplishments that General Harris is an obvious choice when it comes to the dedication of this historical house," said Col. Steven Basham, the former commander of the 2nd Bomb Wing at Basrksdale.

The house was constructed in 1935 by R. P. Farnsworth & Co. at an initial cost of $12,367 and was among 264 Barksdale facilities added to the National Registry of Historic Places in April 1992.

It was used as regular officer housing until the late 1960s when it was converted to house distinguished visitors. The decision to use this home was most likely due to its proximity to Patrick Hall or as it is now known the Barksdale Club. Prior to being known as the Harris House, the home was called the Louisiana White House because President Gerald Ford stayed there during a visit in 1976.

Lane Callaway, Eighth Air Force historian, said the Harris House was memorialized for General Harris in early 1991 by Lt. Gen. E. G. "Buck" Shuler Jr., another former Eighth Air Force commander.

General Shuler invited General Harris to a small social gathering at the Barksdale Club, but a few days prior, General Shuler called the attendees with a change of location to the DV quarters.

"General Harris told me when he arrived at the appointed time and walked up the sidewalk to the front door of the DV quarters, it was then when he first saw the 'damn' sign with his name on it," said Mr. Callaway. "General Shuler wanted to surprise his former boss and did so quite well."

Even today, General Harris is active in the Barksdale community.

"General Harris is a driving force in the Military Affairs Committee of 100 and has been a steadfast voice for Barksdale and, its units and a mentor to Eighth Air Force commanders," said Colonel Basham.

General Harris said he is honored to receive such recognition.

"I am deeply flattered," said General Harris. "I am very grateful for this dedication. It is great history to be associated with Barksdale for me and I am very fortunate to retire here and continue to have relations with everyone here."