oldroy Loc: Western Kansas (No longer in hiding)

I have to wonder if race wasn't involved in this man not being recognized long before President Obama awarded him the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was a real hero and deserved all the medals he was ever awarded. Listen to the story about his heroism.

https://vimeo.com/110587645

viking747

Thank you for posting this. i had never heard of him before

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Wonder no more, Roy. The honor came after a 12-year review ordered by Congress into past discrimination in the military. Twenty-four veterans who were passed over because of their Hispanic, Jewish or African American backgrounds were finally honored.

The following is Melvin Morris' Medal Of Honor Citation:

Medal of Honor Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor to: MELVIN MORRIS, United States Army.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Staff Sergeant Melvin Morris distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Commander of a Strike Force drawn from Company D, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, during combat operations against an armed enemy in the vicinity of Chi Lang, Republic of Vietnam on September 17, 1969.

On that afternoon, Staff Sergeant Morris’ affiliated companies encountered an extensive enemy mine field and were subsequently engaged by a hostile force. Staff Sergeant Morris learned by radio that a fellow team commander had been killed near an enemy bunker and he immediately reorganized his men into an effective assault posture before advancing forward and splitting off with two men to recover the team commander’s body. Observing the maneuver, the hostile force concentrated its fire on Staff Sergeant Morris’ three-man element and successfully wounded both men accompanying him. After assisting the two wounded men back to his forces’ lines, Staff Sergeant Morris charged forward into withering enemy fire with only his men’s suppressive fire as cover. While enemy machine gun emplacements continuously directed strafing fusillades against him, Staff Sergeant Morris destroyed the positions with hand grenades and continued his assault, ultimately eliminating four bunkers. Upon reaching the bunker nearest the fallen team commander, Staff Sergeant Morris repulsed the enemy, retrieved his comrade and began the arduous trek back to friendly lines. He was wounded three times as he struggled forward, but ultimately succeeded in returning his fallen comrade to a friendly position.

Staff Sergeant Morris’ extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

oldroy Loc: Western Kansas (No longer in hiding)

I wonder if Morris was related to my best buddy in basic training. Joe was named Joseph Morris and he would have done something like that, I think. He was from Oregon and wanted to be called Tex, for some reason. I am kidding but he was 18 in 1954 so it could have been.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

'Tex' was my nickname in 'Nam, likely due to my being the only Texan in my immediate unit upon arrival. We had a couple more Texans join us later, but they had to settle for 'Slim' and 'Wolf.'