Col. Carlyle Smith Harris

Colonel Carlyle Smith “Smitty” Harris, USAF Ret., 96, of Tupelo, Mississippi passed away at Sanctuary Hospice House on Sunday, July 6, 2025. Born on April 11, 1929, the son of Robin Smith Harris and Early Joseph Harris, Smitty grew up in Preston, Maryland along with his brother, Joseph “Joe”. He graduated from Charlotte Hall Military Academy, after which he pursued his dream of flying for the United States Air Force.

Col. Harris was a brave and gifted pilot in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. On April 4, 1965, as he was attempting to destroy the Ham Rong bridge in Thanh Hoa, North Vietnam, his F-105 plane was shot down by enemy artillery. Once captured, he became the sixth American prisoner of war. He spent nearly eight years, 2,871 days, in the infamous Hanoi Hilton prison system. On February 12, 1973, he was finally released and reunited with his family.

While in captivity, Smitty was determined to overcome any obstacle. He was committed to returning home with honor, staying true to the Code of Conduct that all military men knew well. Through countless days of both physical and mental torture, he stayed true to his honorable calling. Most notably, Smitty was renowned for being the original POW who introduced a long lost communication code to the early group of POWs called the “Tap Code”. This code was covertly passed on and taught to every POW who entered the North Vietnamese prison system. The Tap Code was used to communicate, pass on the order of command, hold covert church services, and became a lifeline for the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing of the prisoners. Fellow POW Col. Larry Guarino wrote, “Neither Smitty Harris nor any of us realized that this would be the most valuable life—and mind—saving piece of information contributed by any prisoner for all the years we were there.” Col. Harris endured torture and hardship, but his faith in God strengthened his resolve to not only endure, but to return with honor.

In his military career, he progressed through the ranks from Private to Air Force Colonel, and received many decorations, including two Silver Stars, three Legion of Merits, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars for valor, two Air Medals, two Purple Hearts, and two Commendation Medals. He also received the Eagle Award, from the Gathering of Eagles Foundation—an honor he shares with former presidents and other American dignitaries. Artifacts from his days as a POW, including his tin cup, are on display at the Smithsonian. Col. Harris’s story and that of his wife, Louise, is detailed in the bestselling book, Tap Code, The Epic Survival Tale of a Vietnam POW and the Secret Code That Changed Everything, published by Zondervan/Harper Collins in 2019.

When Col. Harris returned home, he kept the vow he made to himself in captivity: never waste time again. His utmost priority was his family, and he spent the following decades living life to the fullest. Upon his return, Col. Harris he was recertified as a pilot at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Next, he attended Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama, where he was selected to stay on the faculty for five years.

While serving his country, Col. Harris received a B.S. from Troy State University, an M.B.A. from Auburn University Montgomery. When he retired from the Air Force in 1979, he entered directly into the University of Mississippi School of Law. In 2023, Col. Harris was inducted into the Ole Miss Alumni Association Hall of Fame. He joined the Mississippi Bar Association in December of 1981 and worked with Mitchell, McNutt, and Sams PLLC. He transitioned into banking, beginning his career with Deposit Guaranty Bank and continued his education at Banking School of the South at Louisiana State University. His banking career included being Senior Vice President, Director of Marketing and Planning, and Trust Business Development Officer.

Outside of his professions, he was a member of the following: Trustee of the Advisory Board of Air War College, Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity, Lee County Bar Association, Mississippi Bankers Association, US Bank Marketing Association, and Tupelo Bank Association. He also held many positions of leadership through community boards, including Leadership Lee County, North Mississippi Medical Center Board of Directors, Uptown Tupelo Business Association, Vice Chairman of Tupelo Airport Authority, Sanctuary Hospice House, the Boys and Girls Club, and Tupelo Rotary Club, where he was an honored recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award.

The position he valued above all was his position of husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Louise Lambert Harris; three children, Robin Harris Waldrip (Ken), Carolyn Harris Cole (Chris), and Carlyle “Lyle” Smith Harris, Jr. (Cindy), all of Tupelo; seven grandchildren, Reid Waldrip (Kaylee), Lauren Waldrip Zuelzke (Jim), Camie Cole, Carrie Anne Cole, Captain Thomas Harris (Peyton), Blake Harris, and Jack Harris; five great-grandchildren, Sam and Maggie Waldrip, Mary Lyle and Bo Zuelzke, and Hazel Blake Harris; and a multitude of friends, especially his fellow POW brotherhood.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Robin Harris; brother, Joe Harris; and fellow POWs.

Col. Harris will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.