Chief Warrant Officer Four Michael S. Harris was born in Ellsworth, Maine. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1996 as a Combat Engineer (12B). Upon completion of Advanced Individual Training, he was assigned to Schweinfurt, Germany. He also served at Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Carson, Colorado, prior to completing Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) in 2008.

From November 2008 to December 2014, CW4 Harris was assigned to the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas, where he served as an AH-6D Pilot, Pilot-in-Command, and Tactical Operations Officer. In December 2014, he was reassigned to 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment Attach Reconnaissance Squadron at Fort Hood, Texas, as a Squadron Aviation Mission Survivability Officer (AMSO) until December 2018. He was then reassigned to 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st CAB at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as an AMSO until January 2020, when he successfully assessed for service with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne).

Upon completion of Officer Combat Skills, CW4 Harris was assigned to Delta Company, 1st Battalion, as an MH-60M Black Hawk Pilot, and then to Charlie Company as an MH-60M Direct Action Penetrator (DAP) Instructor Pilot.

CW4 Harris deployed to Bosnia in support of Operation JOINT FORGE and was a combat veteran of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, INHERENT RESOLVE, and ENDURING FREEDOM.

CW4 Harris’ military education includes the Aviation Tactical Operations Officer Course, Aviation Warrant Officer Advanced and Intermediate Courses, Joint Firepower/Controller Course, Air Cavalry Leader Course, 160th SOAR(Abn) Officer Combat Skills Course, and AH-64D, C-12, UH-60, and MH-60M Aircraft Qualification Courses. CW4 Harris’ civilian education includes an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies from Troy University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. CW4 Harris’ awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (w/1 Bronze OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (w/1 Bronze OLC), Air Medal (w/"C" Device), Air Medal (w/Numeral 2), Army Commendation Medal (w/3 Bronze OLC), Army Achievement Medal (w/1 Silver OLC and 2 Bronze OLC), Army Valorous Unit Award (w/1 Bronze OLC), Army Meritorious Unit Commendation (w/1 Bronze OLC), Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (w/Bronze Three-Loop Clasp), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (w/4 Bronze Service Stars), Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (w/Numeral 2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (w/Numeral 4), NATO Medal (w/1 Bronze Service Star), Combat Action Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, and the Driver and Mechanic Badge (w/Driver-W and Driver-T Clasps).

CW4 Harris is survived by his wife, Mandi; their daughters, Eliot, Parker and Piper; his father and stepmother, Robert and Kelly; mother, Phyllis; and sister, Jennifer