Max E. Harris

The funeral service for Sergeant First Class Max Harris will be at 2pm EDT at Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home on Sunday, August 27, 2017. Public visitation will begin at noon.
The funeral procession route for Sergeant First Class Max Harris will be as follows once all services are completed at the funeral home:
Depart the funeral and head West on Harrison Street
Head North on Railroad Street
Turning East on Broadway Street processing under the Garrison Flag at Illinois Street
Turning North onto Bluff Street
Turning East on Hwy 24 going across the Chief Master Sergeant Dean A. DuVall Bridge
Taking the fork to Riverview Road thru East Monticello to Riverview I.O.O.F. CemeteryYou may pick up a flag at the funeral home on Friday, August 25th between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, Saturday between 9:00 am and noon OR Sunday between 10:00 am and 1:30 pm while supplies last. Sergeant First Class Max E. Harris, captured during the Korean War, has now been accounted for. SFC Max E. Harris, 22, of Monticello, passed away in Chosin Valley, North Korea in 1951.He was born on March 8, 1929 in White County to the late Cedric Harris and Lela (Martin) Harris Skaggs.He attended Lincoln High School and enjoyed roller skating at the former Dewey Street rink and spending time at Ideal Beach now Indiana Beach. He also worked at the old downtown bowling alley setting pins. Later he worked as a horse jockey in Lexington, Kentucky before enlisting in the Army at the age of 18. In late November 1950, Harris was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Approximately 2,500 U.S. and 700 South Korean soldiers assembled into the 31st Regimental Combat Team (RCT), which deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when it was attacked by overwhelming numbers of Chinese forces. The American forces withdrew south with the Chinese attacks continuing. By December 6, the U.S. Army evacuated approximately 1,500 wounded service members; the remaining soldiers had been either captured or killed in enemy territory. Because Harris could not be accounted for by his unit at the end of the battle, he was reported missing in action on Dec. 12, 1950.A returning American prisoner reported that Harris had been captured and died while in route to POW Camp 3 in September 1951. Based on this information, the U.S. Army declared him deceased on Sept. 30, 1951. In 2004, SFC Harris remains were recovered from the Chosin Valley, and through the use of DNA, have recently been positively identified. SFC Harris will be returning home later this month to be laid to rest with his family.He is survived by his sister, Patsy McCall of Monticello and several nieces and nephews.He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Robert M. Harris Turner, Maxine Aubrey, Raymond Harris, Charlie Harris, and Norman Skaggs, and step his father, James Skaggs.The family will receive visitors from noon (EDT) until the time of services at 2:00 pm Sunday, August 27, 2017 at Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home of Monticello with Rev. Jeff Messer of Zion Bethel Church officiating.Burial will follow at Riverview I.O.O.F. Cemetery with full military rites rendered there.Memorial contributions are encouraged to the American Cancer Society or to the Monticello Funeral Honor Guard. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.Online memories and messages of condolence may be extended at www.springerfuneralhome.com