In Memory Of
Michael Harris
1947
2024
Michael Harris
December 24, 1947 — April 1, 2024
FTCM (SS/DV/AW) Michael L. Harris
United States Navy (Ret.)
December 24, 1947 – April 1, 2024
Michael Lewis Harris was born on Christmas Eve, in La Grande, Oregon, to Lillus Cannady Harris and Lewis Harris (both deceased). He joined his two sisters Janet Harris and Judy Perchonock (both deceased). His family was further enhanced to include his Stepfather Irving Bronstein (deceased) and Stepsister Ilonka Britton, and Stepbrothers Troy Bronstein, and Harold Bronstein (deceased).
Mike graduated in 1965 from Vanden High School, Travis Air Force Base in California . Following high school graduation in 1965, he joined the U.S. Navy. After completing Basic Training and Fire Control Technician Class “A” School in San Diego, he volunteered for Submarine Duty. During his tenure in the U.S. Navy, he continued his education with various Navy training schools.
Mike enjoyed many athletic activities over the years. He was an excellent bowler, competitive barefoot water skier, near par golfer, and runner. He was a member of the 100 Mile Club running 100 miles per month.
In 1970, Mike married Lisa Wilson. To this union, two children were born: Michelle Johnston (deceased) and Michelle’s Husband Eric Johnston (deceased), and Brian (Danielle) Harris, and grandsons Brady Harris (Lauren) and Tyler Harris.
In 1980, he married Marlene Quesnel. They had two daughters: Angela Isaac (Randy) and Megan Harris (Scott Dusch), three grandsons: Kiernan Isaac, Shane Isaac, Dean Dusch and one granddaughter, Camryn Dusch.
Mike’s family also includes his service dog, Rudy, and Rudy’s constant companion, Lightening. He loved his dogs and his special friends: Del and Marlene Miles.
In October of 1966, Mike completed Submarine School in New London, Connecticut, and was assigned to the USS Remora (SS 487) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. While assigned to the Remora, he earned his Submarine Warfare (SS Dolphins) specialty designation. Following a successful completion of Navy Diving School, he earned his certification as a Navy Diver (DV). During his tour aboard the Remora, he was assigned various missions in support of operations in Vietnam.
In December of 1971, Mike reported aboard the USS Scamp (SSN 588) in San Diego. During this tour, he was assigned as Ship’s Diver, Special Warfare Trunk Operator, Leading Fire Controlman, and First Lieutenant. The Scamp made three Western Pacific deployments.
In July of 1977, he reported to Human Resource Management School in Millington, Tennessee. Upon graduation, he reported for advanced training at the Recruit Training Command in Orlando, Florida, where he served as a Recruit Company Commander for male recruits.
In November of 1980, Mike reported aboard the USS Bonefish (SS 582) in San Diego. During this tour, he was assigned as Weapons Department Leading Chief Petty Officer and Leading Ship’s Diver. The Bonefish made two Western Pacific deployments and was instrumental in developing procedures interfacing Seal Team Divers and ship’s submerged diving operations.
In November of 1984, he reported to the US Naval Safety Center in Norfolk, Virginia, as a Submarine Diving Safety Analyst. Working closely with Naval Sea Systems Command and Operations Test and Evaluation Command, he traveled the world to submarine ports. During this tour of duty, Mike was the Safety Analyst deployed to evaluate the deadly fire and at sea evacuation of the USS Bonefish (SS 582).
In April of 1989, he reported on board the USS John Marshall (SSN 611) in Norfolk. The John Marshall was a Special Projects Submarine in support of Seal Team operations around the world. While on board, he was the Weapons Department Leading Chief Petty Officer, Leading Ship’s Diver, and First Lieutenant. During this tour, the USS Woodrow Wilson (SSBN 657) completed the first successful Mediterranean deployment of Swimmer Vehicle Capabilities. It was during this tour, Master Chief Harris was ultimately selected for the Chief of the Boat program.
In April of 1990, he was ordered to report to the USS Francis Scott Key (SSBN 657) homeported in Charleston, South Carolina, as Chief of the Boat. During this tour, he made four Fleet Ballistics Missile Deterrent Patrols out of Kings Bay, Georgia. The Francis Scott Key was the first of its class to deploy into the Mediterranean Sea.
July of 1992, upon the decommissioning of the Francis Scott Key (SSBN 657), Master Chief Harris was transferred to the USS Woodrow Wilson (SSN 624) homeported in Charleston as Chief of the Boat. Woodrow Wilson was a Special Projects Submarine and was deployed to the Adriatic Sea in support of the efforts in Bosnia and Yugoslavia.
In August of 1993, Master Chief Harris reported to Fighter Squadron Two One (VF 21) as the Command Master Chief where he qualified for the Aviation Warfare (AW) specialty. Fighter Squadron Two One was forward deployed to Atsugi, Japan, on board the USS Independence (CV 621) During this tour, the Independence completed one Western Pacific deployment, one “Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC)” deployment, and participated in Operation Southern Watch in the Persian Gulf.
In August of 1995, Master Chief Harris reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) in Lemoore, California, as Command Master Chief. He was the Senior Enlisted at the Naval Air Station. It was during this tour of duty that Master Chief Harris was a finalist in the selection process for the next Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (E-10).
Master Chief Harris was awarded: Three Navy Commendation Medals, Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Five Navy Expeditionary Medals, Eight Good Conduct Medals, Armed Force’s Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, United Nations Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), and several unit and service ribbons.
Mike was very proud of his Navy career and Honorably served for more than 33 years, retiring on December 31, 1998. His heart was forever and foremost with the Submarine Community.
Run Silent, Run Deep
He loved this quote from John F. Kennedy on August 1, 1963, at the U.S. Naval Academy:
“I can imagine a no more rewarding career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: ‘I served in the United States Navy’.”
The family of Mike Harris would like to sincerely thank everyone for the care and kindness shown Mike during his extended illness: Cheyenne VA Hospital; VA Home Care Program; Homebound VA RN, Sue, and her team of caregivers.
Also appreciation and thanks to the Caregivers from Synergy of Cheyenne, Cornerstone Caregiving of Cheyenne, and Davis Hospice of Cheyenne. Our heartfelt thanks to Lindsay who took such loving care of our Dad.
Memorials for Mike can be made to your local VFW.
United States Navy (Ret.)
December 24, 1947 – April 1, 2024
Michael Lewis Harris was born on Christmas Eve, in La Grande, Oregon, to Lillus Cannady Harris and Lewis Harris (both deceased). He joined his two sisters Janet Harris and Judy Perchonock (both deceased). His family was further enhanced to include his Stepfather Irving Bronstein (deceased) and Stepsister Ilonka Britton, and Stepbrothers Troy Bronstein, and Harold Bronstein (deceased).
Mike graduated in 1965 from Vanden High School, Travis Air Force Base in California . Following high school graduation in 1965, he joined the U.S. Navy. After completing Basic Training and Fire Control Technician Class “A” School in San Diego, he volunteered for Submarine Duty. During his tenure in the U.S. Navy, he continued his education with various Navy training schools.
Mike enjoyed many athletic activities over the years. He was an excellent bowler, competitive barefoot water skier, near par golfer, and runner. He was a member of the 100 Mile Club running 100 miles per month.
In 1970, Mike married Lisa Wilson. To this union, two children were born: Michelle Johnston (deceased) and Michelle’s Husband Eric Johnston (deceased), and Brian (Danielle) Harris, and grandsons Brady Harris (Lauren) and Tyler Harris.
In 1980, he married Marlene Quesnel. They had two daughters: Angela Isaac (Randy) and Megan Harris (Scott Dusch), three grandsons: Kiernan Isaac, Shane Isaac, Dean Dusch and one granddaughter, Camryn Dusch.
Mike’s family also includes his service dog, Rudy, and Rudy’s constant companion, Lightening. He loved his dogs and his special friends: Del and Marlene Miles.
In October of 1966, Mike completed Submarine School in New London, Connecticut, and was assigned to the USS Remora (SS 487) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. While assigned to the Remora, he earned his Submarine Warfare (SS Dolphins) specialty designation. Following a successful completion of Navy Diving School, he earned his certification as a Navy Diver (DV). During his tour aboard the Remora, he was assigned various missions in support of operations in Vietnam.
In December of 1971, Mike reported aboard the USS Scamp (SSN 588) in San Diego. During this tour, he was assigned as Ship’s Diver, Special Warfare Trunk Operator, Leading Fire Controlman, and First Lieutenant. The Scamp made three Western Pacific deployments.
In July of 1977, he reported to Human Resource Management School in Millington, Tennessee. Upon graduation, he reported for advanced training at the Recruit Training Command in Orlando, Florida, where he served as a Recruit Company Commander for male recruits.
In November of 1980, Mike reported aboard the USS Bonefish (SS 582) in San Diego. During this tour, he was assigned as Weapons Department Leading Chief Petty Officer and Leading Ship’s Diver. The Bonefish made two Western Pacific deployments and was instrumental in developing procedures interfacing Seal Team Divers and ship’s submerged diving operations.
In November of 1984, he reported to the US Naval Safety Center in Norfolk, Virginia, as a Submarine Diving Safety Analyst. Working closely with Naval Sea Systems Command and Operations Test and Evaluation Command, he traveled the world to submarine ports. During this tour of duty, Mike was the Safety Analyst deployed to evaluate the deadly fire and at sea evacuation of the USS Bonefish (SS 582).
In April of 1989, he reported on board the USS John Marshall (SSN 611) in Norfolk. The John Marshall was a Special Projects Submarine in support of Seal Team operations around the world. While on board, he was the Weapons Department Leading Chief Petty Officer, Leading Ship’s Diver, and First Lieutenant. During this tour, the USS Woodrow Wilson (SSBN 657) completed the first successful Mediterranean deployment of Swimmer Vehicle Capabilities. It was during this tour, Master Chief Harris was ultimately selected for the Chief of the Boat program.
In April of 1990, he was ordered to report to the USS Francis Scott Key (SSBN 657) homeported in Charleston, South Carolina, as Chief of the Boat. During this tour, he made four Fleet Ballistics Missile Deterrent Patrols out of Kings Bay, Georgia. The Francis Scott Key was the first of its class to deploy into the Mediterranean Sea.
July of 1992, upon the decommissioning of the Francis Scott Key (SSBN 657), Master Chief Harris was transferred to the USS Woodrow Wilson (SSN 624) homeported in Charleston as Chief of the Boat. Woodrow Wilson was a Special Projects Submarine and was deployed to the Adriatic Sea in support of the efforts in Bosnia and Yugoslavia.
In August of 1993, Master Chief Harris reported to Fighter Squadron Two One (VF 21) as the Command Master Chief where he qualified for the Aviation Warfare (AW) specialty. Fighter Squadron Two One was forward deployed to Atsugi, Japan, on board the USS Independence (CV 621) During this tour, the Independence completed one Western Pacific deployment, one “Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC)” deployment, and participated in Operation Southern Watch in the Persian Gulf.
In August of 1995, Master Chief Harris reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) in Lemoore, California, as Command Master Chief. He was the Senior Enlisted at the Naval Air Station. It was during this tour of duty that Master Chief Harris was a finalist in the selection process for the next Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (E-10).
Master Chief Harris was awarded: Three Navy Commendation Medals, Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Five Navy Expeditionary Medals, Eight Good Conduct Medals, Armed Force’s Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, United Nations Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), and several unit and service ribbons.
Mike was very proud of his Navy career and Honorably served for more than 33 years, retiring on December 31, 1998. His heart was forever and foremost with the Submarine Community.
Run Silent, Run Deep
He loved this quote from John F. Kennedy on August 1, 1963, at the U.S. Naval Academy:
“I can imagine a no more rewarding career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: ‘I served in the United States Navy’.”
The family of Mike Harris would like to sincerely thank everyone for the care and kindness shown Mike during his extended illness: Cheyenne VA Hospital; VA Home Care Program; Homebound VA RN, Sue, and her team of caregivers.
Also appreciation and thanks to the Caregivers from Synergy of Cheyenne, Cornerstone Caregiving of Cheyenne, and Davis Hospice of Cheyenne. Our heartfelt thanks to Lindsay who took such loving care of our Dad.
Memorials for Mike can be made to your local VFW.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael Harris, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Interment with Military Honors
Friday, April 19, 2024
Cheyenne National Cemetery
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