Harry enlisted on December 15, 1942, in Jackson, Mississippi. On January 5, 1943, Harry began training at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California, and he stayed here until May 8, 1943 (five months later). A month after leaving the training center, he boarded the U.S.S. Saratoga on June 21, 1943, where he became a Radioman Third Class. The Saratoga was an aircraft carrier and was part of many operations, including Operation Cockpit on April 19, 1944. During the operation, it helped launch an air raid on Japanese oil facilities and ports on Sabang Island. It was also part of Operation Transom on May 17, 1944, where it launched more air attacks on the oil refineries of the Wonokromo district. The aircraft carrier was also part of the Battle of Iwo Jima.