From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (African American Women Veterans in and from Kentucky)

Harris, Mary Helen

(born: July 24, 1921 - died: March 25, 1961)

Subject

Women's Army Corps (WACs)

Migration North

Military and Veterans

World War II

U.S. Army

Military Branch

Women's Army Corps

Active Duty Entered

March 16, 1943

Active Duty Exit

August 14, 1944

Exit Rank

Private

Notes

Mary Helen Harris was born in Earlington, KY, the daughter of Knox and Elizabeth Harris. The family is enumerated in the 1930 U.S. Census when they were living in Indianapolis, IN. They had moved some time after Mary's sister Ophelia was born in Kentucky in 1925 and her brother Knox Jr. was born in Indiana in 1927. Mary's father was employed by the City of Indianapolis. In the 1940 U.S. Census, Mary Helen Harris was employed as a maid for a private family.

In 1943, she enlisted in the Army in Indianapolis, according to her record in the National Archives, Access to Archival Databases. She returned home after her service and was employed as a food service worker. She died in Indianapolis and is buried in New Crown Cemetery.

Sources: Kentucky Birth Index in Ancestry; Indiana Death Certificate State #61-009586 (Ancestry); U.S. Headstone Applications for Military Veterans (Ancestry); "Deaths and Funerals: and Miss Mary H. Harris," The Indianapolis News, 3/28/1961, p. 9.