William “Bill” Harris, one of the original Rossmoor homeowners (purchased 7th new home), recently celebrated his 99th birthday in January.
He was born in Kansas City, Missouri on Jan. 15, 1992 and moved to San Diego in 1941. According to Harris, in 1942 he “received an invitation I could not refuse.” It was from the United States Air Force.
He graduated flight school in Montgomery, Alabama, then he was sent to Virginia for pilot radar training. At the time, radar had just emerged as a new technology in aircraft.
Bill was tested and selected as one of the first pilots to train to fly the B-24 in the 15th Air Force in Italy. On his way to Italy, Harris flew to Newfoundland, Azores, Africa and crossed the Mediterranean before landing at an Italian Air Force base.
During World War II, Harris flew 35 missions over Italy.
One of the more memorable missions, he said, was delivering supplies to Gen. George Patton in Leone, France before the famous “Battle of the Bulge.”
“I flew over Italy but came home on a ship to finish my service in the U.S. Air Force,” said Harris. Once stateside, Bill had various jobs until he became an electrician, joined the union and had his own electrical business. He operated his electrical business until he retired.
In 1944, Bill moved to Long Beach and later purchased the 7th home built in Rossmoor, where Bill still resides today (Rossmoor Highlands).
Happy belated birthday Bill Harris. Thank you for your service as part of America’s greatest generation.