Greenville Native Addresses Greenville Composite Squadron

Greenville Native Retired Major General George B. Harrison returned to the city of his birth Monday night to speak to the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Greenville Composite Squadron Monday.

“Opportunity is there for you.Hard work and perseverance will lead to success. By the way, no matter your career path, remember that public service is a duty of citizenship," General Harrison said. 

Harrison and two of his brothers were cadets in the same program back when they attended Greenville High School, graduating in 1956, 1958 and 1961 respectively. All three brothers entered the Air Force upon graduation. General Harrison conveyed that they all started their successful careers at the CAP in Greenville. His oldest brother, William, became a corporate pilot upon retiring from the Air Force. His other brother, Marvin, was able to later use his VA benefits to graduate from college and became a Special Agent for the U.S. Treasury Department.

General Harrison entered the Air Force in 1962 as a Second Lieutenant and graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is a command pilot, having flown more than 4,900 hours in a variety of tactical aircraft including an F-16. More than 500 of those hours were flown in combat over Asia. In addition, he has flown 4000 hours in civilian aircraft, including 2500 hours as a flight instructor. General Harrison moved up through the ranks and on March 1, 1989 was promoted to Major General. In 1993 he became the Commander of the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center which, as its name implies, tests and evaluates new warfighting capabilities in operationally realistic environments in an effort to influence national resource decisions.

Among his many awards and medals, General Harrison was awarded two Distinguished Service Medals, a Distinguished Flying Cross and 12 Air Medals. He retired on July 1,1997 and currently resides in the Atlanta area.

(Image provided by Greenville Composite Squadron)

FMI: www.gocivilairpatrol.com