Stayce Harris earned her commission from the University of Southern California Air Force ROTC detachment, entering active duty in April 1982. Harris rose to the rank of Lieutenant General, as the first Reservist to earn a third star beyond the position of Chief of the Air Force Reserve. Harris was the Air Force's second African American woman pilot; she became the U.S. military's highest-ranking African American woman pilot. General Harris served as the Mobilization Assistant to the commanders of three organizations with global reach: US Africa Command, 18th Air Force, and Air Mobility Command. Harris' many firsts include the first Black woman to command the following: a flying squadron, a flying wing, and a Numbered Air Force. She was also the first African American Assistant Vice Chief of Staff, Air and Director of the Air Staff. Lieutenant General Stayce Harris was the Inspector General of the Air Force before retiring March 1, 2019.
General Harris is a 2017 Women in Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame Inductee.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
Military Women Aviators Oral History Initiative (MWAOHI), NASM.2020.0005, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
