05.30.25 ~ TAG

Staff Sgt. Jillan Maynus / Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

Woodruff takes command as Ohio adjutant general, Harris retires after 44 years of service

Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., outgoing Ohio adjutant general, transferred authority and responsibility as head of the Ohio National Guard to Brig. Gen. Matthew S. Woodruff, incoming Ohio adjutant general, during a change of command ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. Following the change of command, Harris officially retired after 44 years of military service, the last six as adjutant general, to begin his new state government role as director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services.

PHOTOS: 1, 2  |  STORY  |  VIDEO

01.09.2023 ~ OHARNG

/ Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

Adjutant general reappointed as Gov. DeWine begins second term

Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., third from left, was reappointed as adjutant general to begin Gov. Mike DeWine’s second term in office, marked by the governor’s Jan. 9 inauguration ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse. Harris has served as adjutant general since January 2019.

01.14.2019 ~ OHARNG

Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office

Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr. becomes Ohio's 83rd adjutant general

Maj. Gen. John C. Harris, Jr. is sworn in as the 83rd Adjutant General of Ohio by Gov. Mike DeWine as Harris’ wife Angela holds the Bible and other family members look on, Jan. 14, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio. In a video interview, Harris discusses his organizational priorities, leadership and the reason he has been a member of the Ohio National Guard for more than 30 years.

VIDEO

12.19.2014 ~ OHARNG

Todd Cramer / Ohio National Guard

Assistant adjutant general for Army receives second star

Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., center, Ohio assistant adjutant general for Army, receives his new shoulder rank epaulettes from Maj. Gen. Deborah A. Ashenhurst, left, Ohio adjutant general, and his wife Angela during a Dec. 19, 2014, promotion ceremony at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio. Harris, who has been in his position since January 2011, establishes policies, priorities and oversight for the readiness of more than 11,000 Soldiers in the Ohio Army National Guard.

03.02.2012 ~ OHARNG

Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Mann / Ohio National Guard

Col. John C. Harris Jr. promoted to brigadier general

During the promotion of Brig. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., assistant adjutant general for Army, his son John and daughter Rachel replace his colonel's eagles with brigadier general's stars, Friday, March 2, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. Harris joined the Ohio Army National Guard in 1981 and now leads the organization's 11,400 Soldiers.

VIDEO