Scott Harris was born on May 11, 1941, in Fairfield, Alabama. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama in 1963, and entered Officer Training School in the U.S. Air Force on November 8, 1963. Harris was commissioned a 2d Lt at Lackland AFB, Texas, on February 4, 1964, and then completed Navigator Training at James Connally AFB, Texas. Lt Harris next completed Electronic Warfare Officer Training at Mather AFB, California, followed by F-105 Thunderchief Combat Crew Training and Wild Weasel training at Mather AFB and Robins AFB, Georgia. Capt Harris deployed to Southeast Asia in December 1967, where he served as an F-105F Wild Weasel Electronic Warfare Officer with the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat and Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, from December 1967 until he was forced to eject from his stricken aircraft over North Vietnam on February 29, 1968. It is believed that he died shortly after his ejection on the ground, but he was officially listed as Missing in Action and promoted to Major before being declared dead on April 5, 1979. His remains were returned to the United States by the North Vietnamese government in 1975, but were not identified until April 8, 1985. Maj Harris is buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama.

His Distinguished Flying Cross Citation reads:

Captain Cleveland S. Harris distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief electronics warfare officer over North Vietnam on 20 January 1968. On that date, flying through intense and accurate antiaircraft fire, Captain Harris displayed outstanding courage and determination while attacking a hostile surface to air missile complex in extremely dangerous weather conditions. In the face of great danger, Captain Harris succeeded in neutralizing the missile complex in defense of a large F-105 Thunderchief strike force. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Harris reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.