US Officer Who Died for Lithuania Honored in Kaunas

Kaunas, Lithuania – A solemn ceremony was held at the Old Aleksotas Cemetery in Kaunas to honor the memory of U.S. Army officer Lt. Samuel Harris. Harris, who died fighting for Lithuania's freedom, was a volunteer creator of the Lithuanian army and a World War I veteran.

Representatives from various Lithuanian military units and the Lithuanian Riflemen's Association gathered at the "Pieta" monument, where Harris's name is inscribed among those who fell for Lithuania's liberty. Stasys Ignatavičius, a member of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Association's restoration initiative group, recounted Harris's life and sacrifice.

Ignatavičius highlighted that Harris was one of the few foreign officers who voluntarily came to aid the nascent Lithuanian state. His death defending Lithuania's independence has become a lasting symbol of U.S.-Lithuanian friendship and shared values of freedom. The ceremony included a minute of silence to honor Harris and all who died for Lithuania.

Lt. Samuel Harris (1896–1920) arrived in Lithuania in 1919 as an officer instructor for the American Lithuanian Brigade. He was severely wounded in Aleksotas in February 1920 while suppressing a Bolshevik-instigated rebellion in Kaunas and died the following day. Posthumously, he was awarded the Order of the Cross of Vytis, and the Lithuanian state granted a pension to his mother. His memory is honored on the "Pieta" monument and on S. Harris Street in Kaunas. Harris is noted as the only American without Lithuanian roots to have sacrificed his life for Lithuania's freedom.

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Lt. S. Harris was one of the few foreign officers who voluntarily came to help the young Lithuanian state, and his death defending Lithuania's independence became a lasting symbol of U.S.-Lithuanian friendship and shared values of freedom.