The University of Limerick has conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Economic Science on Irish American Harry E. McKillop, in recognition of his role in highlighting the plight of American Prisoners Of War (POWs) and Missing In Action (MIA) from the Vietnam and subsequent wars.
The UL degree also acknowledged Dr McKillop’s support for Irish causes and his contribution to business in Ireland where he took a special interest in the ongoing development of Shannon Airport. He is an ardent supporter of the University of Limerick and was appointed as a director of the UL Foundation
Of strong Irish heritage, Harry McKillop was born and raised in the US and served as a naval officer aboard the USS Phoenix in the Pacific World War II.
His humanitarian campaigning began dramatically in 1969 when he directed and managed the massive logistics of a high-profile trip of the wives of American Prisoners of War to Vietnam to provide supplies and relief to US POWs.
He made additional trips to Vietnam in the 1970’s and 1980’s as well as to Laos and Cambodia, to continue the search for, and the ultimate return of, missing American soldiers.
Dr. McKillop has had a distinguished career in the aviation and development industries in the United States, initially with United Airlines, Branniff International and Pan American. For the past thirty years he has been a senior executive at the Perot Group.
In addition to this Mr McKillop has an immense history in worldwide humanitarian rescue missions connected with United States POW situations and other crisis interventions. In 2007, he was awarded the Department of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service by President George W. Bush for more than 40 years of unselfish service to Americans in need around the world. Mr. McKillop has also demonstrated continued interest in supporting the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines.
Dr McKillop’s Honorary Doctorate was conferred on him in Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, Texas at an event attended by guests from the business, educational and political worlds.
Speaking from the ceremony, UL President Professor Don Barry said of Mr McKillop: “Dr Harry McKillop is a true Irish-American hero and it is our privilege to recognise his unique contribution to Ireland, to the United States of America, to the great state of Texas and to society as a whole.
“Throughout his extraordinary life and a career characterised by integrity, vision and achievement, Harry has not only provided a reliable friendship to those in need but has continuously, over the years, fought for what is just and right and often for those who thought the World had forgotten them , particularly prisoners of War and MIAs. And Harry has been a true friend of Ireland, contributing to cross-community initiatives throughout the island of Ireland as well as assisting a range of educational endeavours at the University of Limerick and many initiatives that have benefited the people of Ireland.”
Speaking from the conferring ceremony Dr. McKillop said “I am deeply moved and humbled to receive this magnificent honor. It is all the more fulfilling to have it conferred by such an outstanding University in the proud land of my ancestors”.
Dr McKillop has given extensive service to the University of Limerick through his membership of the Board of the UL Foundation. He has been recognised through the Harry McKillop Irish Spirit Award which was established by Mr Ross Perot to honour Harry and to celebrate the actions of those of Irish or Irish-American descent who have undertaken exemplary acts of humanitarianism. Recipients have included Fr Peter McVerry, founder of the McVerry Trust in Dublin and Jean Kelly, founder of the Speedwell Trust, a voluntary organisation working for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
President George W Bush honoured Dr McKillop for more than 40 years of unselfish work for Americans in need around the world and for his patriotic service by awarding him the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service.
Dr. McKillop’s grandparents emigrated from Ballycastle, County Antrim in the late 19th century.
