Charles B. Morris
Encyclopedia
Charles Bedford Morris was a United States Army
soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor
—for his actions in the Vietnam War
.
, and served during the Korean War
before serving in Vietnam. By June 29, 1966 he was a Sergeant in Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate). During a firefight on that day in the Republic of Vietnam
, Morris continued to lead his squad, fight the enemy, and help the wounded despite being wounded himself four separate times. For his actions during the battle he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and, on December 14, 1967, awarded the Medal of Honor.
Morris reached the highest enlisted rank, Sergeant Major, before retiring from the Army. He died at age 64 and was buried in Morris Cemetery, Fancy Gap, Virginia
.
Staff Sergeant Morris' Medal of Honor citation reads:
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
—for his actions in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
Biography
Morris joined the Army from Roanoke, VirginiaRoanoke, Virginia
Roanoke is an independent city in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. state of Virginia and is the tenth-largest city in the Commonwealth. It is located in the Roanoke Valley of the Roanoke Region of Virginia. The population within the city limits was 97,032 as of 2010...
, and served during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
before serving in Vietnam. By June 29, 1966 he was a Sergeant in Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate). During a firefight on that day in the Republic of Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, Morris continued to lead his squad, fight the enemy, and help the wounded despite being wounded himself four separate times. For his actions during the battle he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and, on December 14, 1967, awarded the Medal of Honor.
Morris reached the highest enlisted rank, Sergeant Major, before retiring from the Army. He died at age 64 and was buried in Morris Cemetery, Fancy Gap, Virginia
Fancy Gap, Virginia
Fancy Gap is a census-designated place in Carroll County, Virginia, United States. The population was 260 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Fancy Gap is located at ....
.
Medal of Honor citation
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War