WASHINGTON, D.C. — Col. Buddy Harris, one of Civil Air Patrol’s original World War II subchasers, has been chosen from among hundreds of nominees nationwide as one of 20 finalists for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Citizen Service Above Self Honors Award.
Three of the finalists will be chosen to receive the award, to be presented at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., on March 24 — National Medal of Honor Day.
The award “recognizes and honors ordinary Americans who became extraordinary by going above and beyond,” according to the foundation.
As a CAP member, Harris has flown more than 250 search and rescue missions and has been credited with 22 finds, saving the lives of three boaters in two separate life-threatening incidents.
A certified radiological monitor, he has earned three region Exceptional Service Awards, 11 Wing and Region Outstanding Public Affairs Officer of the Year awards and two Distinguished Service Awards and medals.
Now a member of the Florida Wing Headquarters Squadron, he served on the faculty of the Southeast Region Staff College for four years and served as squadron chief of staff. He also has a master’s rating in many CAP fields: observer, emergency services and public affairs officer.
The foundation’s Web site cites Harris’ "lifetime of serving others from disaster relief victims to militaryserving in Iraq and Afghanistan," specifically:
- Helping with relief efforts the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
- Directing the Support Our Troops program, arranging the deliveries of care packages, Christmas and Valentine Cards, and personal-needs supplies to troops.
