Born in Delhi, LA, a small community where everyone knew each other and trusted their neighbor. This greatly contributed to Harrison's ambition and determination to serve his country proudly. He entered the Air Force Oct. 4, 1962.
Accumulated 765 hours of combat flight time and 219 combat missions over Vietnam. Total hours as a flight engineer 1,333.0.
Assignments: 1963 mechanic on B-47; 1964, mechanic on B-52 at Kirtland AFB; 1965, mechanic C-135 at Patrick AFB, FL; changed top AFC flight engineer on EC-135 N Apollo program.
March 1968-69, flight engineer on C-147 Vietnam 5th Air Commando Sqdn.; January to December 1969, Patrick AFB, EC-135 N. Aircraft Schools, act. mechanic basic C-135 N; Supervisor School, survival training, PACAF Schools, simulator on C-135 SAW training course, SEA survival course.
"SSgt. Harrison E. Rhodes distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as the flight engineer of an unarmed C-47 Speaker ship over An Xuyen Province, Republic of Vietnam on Oct. 18, 1968. Sgt. Rhodes and crew volunteered to fly a hazardous mission in support of a special operation to rescue prisoners from the hostile forces. Although flying through intense anti-aircraft fire, Sgt. Rhodes continued to monitor the broadcasting equipment so as to always maintain the best possible audio transmission. He further aided the crew by standing in the open rear fuselage door spotting anti-aircraft positions whenever he could. In addition to the prison rescue effort, 27 hostile troops rallied to the government. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Sgt. Rhodes reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."
Awarded DFC, AFGCM, AM, NSM, VMS, RVNCM, ASMR and AF LSA.