Scroll of Honor Adds Great War Veteran

November 4, 2014

CLEMSON, SC–Clemson University’s Scroll of Honor, comprised of alumni who died on active military service, recently added its 485^th name.  Carlos Golightly Harris was added to the Scroll following an extensive vetting process conducted by the Clemson Corps.  Harris died in 1926 of complications from wounds suffered during World War I.

Harris, of Spartanburg, was a member of the Clemson College Class of 1917 which famously volunteered en masse when the United States entered the war.  At Clemson, Harris was involved in many activities, according to the College yearbook Taps, “being a hearty supporter of everything that is elevating to him and his fellow students.”  C. G., as he was known on the still young campus, captained the basketball team, served as editor-in-chief of The Chronicle literary magazine and won the Orator’s Medal.

Once on military service, Harris was assigned to the 371^st Infantry Regiment at Camp Jackson.  The 371^st was the first “Colored” Regiment organized for active participation in combat during World War I.  The 371^st was the only all-draftee regiment in the war.

On September 28, 1918, First Lieutenant Harris was leading his company in an assault on Hill 188 during the Meuse-Argonne Campaign. German defenders feigned capitulation, luring the Americans into a carefully planned ambush.  Harris’ right hip was shattered by shell fragments. For his intrepid leadership and heroism, Harris was awarded a Silver Star Citation and the French Croix de Guerre.

After his discharge from the service, Harris was fitted with a titanium hip.  He returned home to Spartanburg, but continued to suffer from his wound and was unable to work.  He returned to school, studying law at Columbia University and was admitted to practice law in New York.  Instead of practicing law, he took a position with the McClellan chain stores in Waterloo, Iowa.  While there, Harris’ hip continued to plague him and he decided upon an operation to provide relief.

The surgery took place at the US Naval Hospital in Brooklyn, New York in March 1926. A septic infection set in and Harris died from complications on March 30.

“We’re very proud to add Lieutenant Harris to the Scroll of Honor,” said Frank Cox, chair of the Clemson Corps, the alumni constituency group which maintains the Scroll.  “It is important that we remember and honor his sacrifice, which like those of so many other Clemson alumni, has helped protect our country in times of war and peace.”

The addition of Harris brings the names of Clemson fallen on the Scroll of Honor to 485.  This fall First Lieutenant Harris’ name will be engraved on a stone at the Scroll of Honor Memorial on the Clemson campus. The Scroll of Honor website, http://cualumni.clemson.edu/scrollofhonor, contains additionalinformation about the Scroll and each of those whose name is listed on it.

“We invite anyone with knowledge of the death of a Clemson alumnus while on military duty to contact the Clemson Corps.  We want to make sure all those who have made the supreme sacrifice are honored and remembered,” Cox said.

For information about the Clemson Corps, a constituency group of the Clemson Alumni Association, please see: https://cualumni.clemson.edu/clemson-corps

Contact:           Kelly Durham:  (864) 710-9202  Email:  kellyd@fsmc256.com