Since the American Civil War, 40 million people have served in the armed forces, and only 3,547 have received a Medal of Honor. William Simon Harris is among those few.
Harris enlisted in the Army in 1898. He was a member of the 4th US Cavalry and served in the Philippine Insurrection. He was a resident of Kokomo for most of his life. He died in 1963.
In 1906, for his courage displayed in multiple battles, President Theodore Roosevelt awarded Harris the Medal of Honor. Unfortunately, Harris did not receive notification of the honor nor did he receive the medal.
On Tuesday, January 28th, 2025, 117 years after an army general recommended Private Harris for the award, descendants of William Simon Harris accepted the Medal of Honor on his behalf from Governor Mike Braun.
A special ceremony will be held to honor U.S. Army Private William Simon Harris with a new headstone on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Kokomo Memorial Park Cemetery, located at 1300 E. North Street, Kokomo.
The event will include remarks and participation from Mayor Tyler Moore, State Representative Mike Karickhoff, VFW Commander and Kokomo Councilman Dave Capshaw, and members of the Kokomo VFW Post 1152 Military Rites Team, along with Harris’ family.
