Man Suffocated Under Powdered Boron Slide

   BORON, May 26 --- A slide! of powdered boron suffocated a worker today in a matter of minutes.
   Jeff Harris, 44, a helper on a blasting team, was killed at the U.S. Borax & Chemical Corp. plant here
   Harris and Junior H. Woodall, 38, had entered a large concrete and steel bulk warehouse where they were blasting big pillars of crystallized borax.
   Woodall said he was 50 ft. from Harris when the slide of refined borax knocked Harris to the concrete floor and covered him up to his neck.
   By the time Woodall reached him a second slide occurred, covering Harris and burying Woodall up to his knees. Woodall dug himself out and uncovered Harris' face and then ran for help.
   Attempts to revive Harris were unsuccessful.

[The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA, 27 May 1960, Fri, Page 47]

Six Tons of Borax
Smother Workman

 BORON (UPI) - A blasting worker was smothered to . death Thursday when six tons of borax fell on him and a fellow worker at U.S. Borax & Chemical Corp. facilities three miles northwest of here.
   Jeff Harris, about -40, was buried under the borax when a slide occurred as he started to blast loose sediment hung up on the side of a conveyor belt. His companion, Hank Woodall, was partially trapped.

[The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, CA, 29 May 1960, Sun, Page 18]

[courtesy of Randy Harris]

Grave marker for Jeff Harris in Section E, Lot 237, Grave 1, Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura (Ventura county), California.

Jeff registered for the draft in Paris, AR on 16 October 1940 and was inducted into the Army shortly thereafter.

T/4 Harris was transferred from an unnamed unit in Camp Blanding, FL to Hq 3rd,, 508th PIR on 28 November 1942.

While home on furlough, Jeff married Lona Belle Swift in Logan, Arkansas on 25 September 1942.

Cpl Harris was wounded in action in Holland on 2 October 1944.  He was sent to an aid station and returned to the company on 15 October.

On 31 January 1945, Cpl Harris was again wound in action and evacuated to a field hospital.  The date of his return to duty is not known.

On 18 August 1945, he was transferred to the 513th PIR, 17th Airborne Division

He was honorably discharged on 19 September 1945