Melvin Morris – Medal of Honor Winner
By
John C Abercrombie
Melvin Morris is a distinguished United States Army veteran who distinguished himself in the Vietnam War, serving with the Special Forces, commonly known as the “Green Beret”. For his service he received the Medal of Honor although it took over 4 decades for him to receive his due.
In this post, we will examine the actions that qualified him for the Medal of Honor and the consequences of the delay in gaining it and the benefits of his heroic actions.
Morris was born January 7, 1942 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. In, 1959 he joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard, later joining the active duty United States Army. While in the active duty Army, Morris excelled and became one of the first Green Berets in 1961. He twice volunteered for combat in Vietnam.
While commanding the 3rd Company, 3rd Battalion of a mobile strike force near Chi Lang, Vietnam Staff Sergeant Morris led an advance across enemy lines to recover the body of a fallen sergeant. You never leave a fallen soldier on the field to the hands of the enemy. This dedication to duty and the moral obligation to retrieve the remains of the fallen soldier led Sergeant Morris to act to an extremely high level.
In the process of the recovery, he singlehandedly destroyed an entire enemy force. Armed with a bag of grenades he took with him on the mission. He destroyed the army as they pinned down his battalion. Morris performed despite being shot 3 times. The first to the right chest, then his right arm. He had fingers that had to be reattached. Despite the injuries duty and dedication drove him on.
As the body of the fallen sergeant was being recovered, a critical map was left behind. Morris realized the value of that information and remained in the fight to recover that important document.
Sergeant Morris was awarded The Distinguished Service Cross in April 1970. He returned to Vietnam the same month for a 2nd tour. Morris retired in 1985.
The Distinguished Service Cross is a high award, so what is the problem?
The first being that he qualified for the higher award and the benefits that come with it. Winners of the Medal of Honor are fast tracked on the career path. The advancements that he is due as a Medal of Honor are not given to the lesser award. There is a lifetime pension and children of Medal of Honor winners are admitted to service academies which gives them an advantage in a military career.
So, how did Morris miss out on the Medal of Honor in the beginning and how did he become eligible later? While the actions were there, it is required that the events be witnessed and written, then they are considered. As seen in so many cases throughout history we see that awards to people of color are hard to get and many are overlooked in the process.
There are undoubtedly other people of all races that have been overlooked as well. As a result of our history of overlooking deserving people. The 2002 National Defense Authorization Act prompted a review of Jewish and Hispanic Americans as well. Records from World War II the Korean War and the Vietnam War. During the review, records were uncovered of soldiers that were not Jewish or Hispanic that found to be worthy of the Medal of Honor.
The 2002 NDAA was amended to allow thee soldiers to be honored. The soldiers honored were previously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. This is the second highest award but all were deserving of the higher honor.
March 18, 2014 United States President Barack Obama presented 24 veterans with the Medal of Honor
From World War II
• Private Pedro Cano
• Private Joe Gandara
• Staff Sergeant Salvador I Lara
• Staff Sergeant William F Leonard
• Master Sergeant Manuel V Mendoza
• Sergeant Alfred B Nietzel
• 1st Lt Donald K Schwab
Korean War
• Corporal R Baldonado
• Sergeant Victor H Espinoza
• Sergeant 1st Class Eduardo Corral Gomez
• Private First-Class Leonard M Kravitz
• Master Sergeant Juan E Negron
• Master Sergeant Mike C Pena
• Private First-Class Demensio Rivera
• Private Miguel A Vera
• Sergeant Jack Weinstein
Vietnam War
• Specialist 4 Leonard L AlvaradoCopas
• Segre
• Staff Sergeant Felix M Conde-Falcon
• Sergeant Ardie R Compas
• Sergeant Jesus S Duran
• Sergeant Santiago J Frevia*
• Sergeant Candelario Garcia
• Sergeant 1st Class Melvin Morris*
• Master /sergeant Jose Rodela*
Asterisk (*) indicates living at the time of the award.
Medal of Honor Melvin Morris was finally recognized for his accomplishments 44 years late. The shame of the delay is that he was not “fast tracked” in his career. Meaning that he missed out on promotions. People that he could have influenced, inspired and motivated were denied his talents and skills.
Wording on the citation follow:
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:
United States Army
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
Melvin Morris’s sons joined the military and Medal of Honor winners’ children have admittance to the Service Academies, West Point, Annapolis, Air Force Academy etc.… they were denied, and this affected their military negatively.
Think of the 21 deserving soldiers who never lived to see recognition of their sacrifice.
The delay was tragic and brings up the possibility of others who were deserving but not written about. Take the case of Waverly B Woodson who landed on Normandy. A deserving man, but denied not because the events that qualified him were not known, but a fire in the 1970’s that burned official records and the fact that there were no living witnesses.
The lack of the honor also allows many myths and stereotypes to remain without challenge, having a negative impact on an entire race of people. These negative myths and stereotypes are behind much of the racism that people face today.
We also see the effects of lack of opportunity and its effects on future generations. Morris lost out on many benefits because of the delay. This had a negative impact on his sons and their military career, which in turn affects their children.
When people are denied opportunity, it has an impact for generations. Showing the necessity of equal opportunity for all based on their abilities, not physical appearance.
Morris received the Medal of Honor, March 18, 2014; Bronze Star Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal Silver with one Loop, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver Star, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral “3”, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral “4”, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar, Special Forces Tab, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with “60” Device, Vietnam Parachutist Badge, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm Device, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal Citation, First Class.
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Black Military History Month: Melvin Morris – Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War veteran Melvin Morris was overlooked for the Medal of Honor due to the color of his skin. But wrongs were made right decades later and he even kept a secret for President Obama. This is his story.
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