Marcelite J. Harris

Major General Marcelite J. Harris (born January 16, 1943) was the first African-American female general of the United States Air Force. Born Marcelite Jordan in Houston, Texas to Cecil O'Neal Jordan and Marcelite Terrill Jordan, Sr., Jordan graduated from Spelman College, earning her B.A. of arts degree in speech and drama in 1964.

Education and early career
Major General Harris was commissioned through Officer Training School, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in 1965. She has held a variety of assignments in the Air Force. Major General Marcelite J. Harris retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1997 as the highest ranking female officer in the Air Force and the Nation’s highest ranking African American woman in the Department of Defense. General Harris’s distinguished career in the service included many “firsts” as she was the first female aircraft maintenance officer; one of the first two female air officers commanding at the United States Air Force Academy; and the Air Force’s first female Vice Commander for maintenance. She also served as a White House social aide during the Carter administration. Her service medals and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Service Medal. Upon retirement from the Air Force, Major General Harris served NASA as the Florida Site Director and Logistics Process Owner for the company managing the Nation’s Shuttle Program, United Space Alliance. In 1999 Major General Harris was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Spelman College, where she had previously earned her B.A. in Speech and Drama. She also holds a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Maryland University College. Mrs. Harris is a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

Current work
Major General Harris is now Treasurer of the Atlanta Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and serves as a Director on the Board of Peachtree Hope Charter School. Also, as of September 15, 2010, General Harris was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as a member of the Board of Visitors for the United States Air Force Academy. The Board inquires into the morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other matters relating to the Academy which the Board decides to consider. The Board meets at least four times per year, with at least two of those meetings at the Academy. The Board prepares semi-annual reports containing its views and recommendations pertaining to the Academy. Each written report is submitted concurrently to the Secretary of Defense, through the Secretary of the Air Force, and to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.

Personal
Gen. Harris was married to Maurice A. Harris(Deceased). They have three adult children: a son, Steven, and daughters, Tenecia and Sherri.

Major achievements and decorations

 * Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
 * Bronze Star Medal*
 * Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
 * Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
 * Presidential Unit Citation
 * Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device and eight oak leaf clusters
 * National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
 * Vietnam Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
 * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
 * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Other achievements

 * 2010 - "Trailblazer Award," Black Girls Rock Foundation
 * 1996 - Ellis Island Medal of Honor
 * 1995 - "Black Woman of Courage," National Federation of Black Women Business Owners
 * 1995 - "Military African American Woman" for contributions to the Department of Defense, National Political Congress of Black Women, Inc.
 * 1995 - "Women of Distinction" Award, Thomas W. Anthony Chapter, Air Force Association
 * 1992 - Woman of Enterprise, Journal Recording Publishing Co., Oklahoma City
 * 1991 - Most Prestigious Individual, Dollars and Sense Magazine
 * 1990 - Outstanding Young Woman of America
 * 1990 - Woman of the Year, National Organization of Tuskegee Airmen, also listed in "Who's Who Among Black Americans", "Who's Who in America'' and "Who's Who Among American Business Women"

Effective dates of promotion

 * Second Lieutenant December 21, 1965
 * First Lieutenant January 21, 1967
 * Captain Dec 21, 1969
 * Major April 1, 1975
 * Lieutenant Colonel - October 1, 1981
 * Colonel - September 1, 1986
 * Brigadier General - May 1, 1991
 * Major General - May 25, 1995