The 28th Infantry Division sailed for England in October 1943 and landed at Normandy on July 22, 1944. They were immediately thrust into the bloody fighting in the hedgerows of St. Lo. By August 1944 they were driving toward Germany by way of Luxembourg entering the Huertgen Forest on November 2, 1944. However, on December 16, 1944 the German Army launched the infamous "Battle of the Bulge" as nine enemy divisions slammed into the American lines. Directly in their path was the 28th Division, that contained Private O. D. Harris and his 44th Engineer Combat Battalion. The division was repeatedly attacked over and over with casualties mounting by the hour. Many of the American units fought and died having never given up their positions.
As the lines began to thin every available soldier was thrown into the line to block the oncoming enemy. Even military police, cooks, postal clerks, headquarters personnel and even the band were not spared. Up until Christmas day the battle was touch and go, however by then the German attack began to wane as they ran out of fuel and momentum. On December 30, 1944, in the area of Luxembourg Private Harris' battalion was still fighting to clear the remaining German units when he was killed.
His body was recovered and buried in a military cemetery where it remained until December of 1948 when he was exhumed and sent home to his family. He was the son of Earnest Phillip Harris and Vernie Ard and the husband of Dorothy Johnson Harris (married 1943). He was buried with full military honors at the Elizabeth Chapel Cemetery, Chumuckla, Florida.
Pensacola News Journal December 8, 1948
Elizabeth Chapel Cemetery, Chumuckla, Florida
28th Infantry Division Relieving Bastogne Shortly After Harris' Death