Gov. Mike Braun to present the Medal of Honor to the family of Kokomo man for service in 1899

Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 7:20 AM

By Staff report

Governor Mike Braun will present the Medal of Honor to the family of Army Private William Simon Harris of Kokomo.
Private Harris was approved for the Medal of Honor in 1906 by the Secretary of War at the direction of President Theodore Roosevelt for his service in the Philippines in 1899. The Medal of Honor was never issued to Private Harris because of a mistake in delivering the notice, and Private Harris has since passed away.
Governor Braun's office was made aware of this oversight in May of 2023 when he was serving in the U.S. Senate. Through extensive constituent services work and some phone calls made to the Secretary of the Army by then Senator Braun, Private Harris was issued the Medal of Honor award that was approved in 1906.
In order to rectify the situation and ensure Private Harris receives the honor he deserves for his service to our country, Governor Braun will host a ceremony with the family of Private Harris, where he will present them with the long overdue Medal of Honor.