Harold Douglas Harris (February 4, 1903 – September 20, 1984) was a United States Marine Corps officer with the rank of brigadier general.
Harris fought guerrillas in Nicaragua, and subsequently the Japanese in World War II, while commanding 5th Marine Regiment.
Harris was subsequently assigned to the Marine Corps Basic School in Philadelphia, where he was educated in warfighting skills required of a rifle platoon commander.
He participated with Colonel Pedro del Valle in the study of division structures and made recommendations basic to later USMC, including triangular model (3 regiments, 3 battalions, 3 companies, 3 platoons, etc.)
[2] He remained in this capacity until July 1942, when he was transferred as intelligence officer to the staff of Commander Amphibious Force, South Pacific under Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner.
In February 1944, now Lieutenant Colonel Harris, was appointed intelligence officer and assistant chief of staff, 1st Marine Division and served under command of Major General William H. Rupertus during the Battle of Cape Gloucester.
After his return to America, Harris was appointed instructor at the Army and Navy Staff College in Washington, D.C., and served in this capacity until March 1946.