Thomas R. Morgan
Encyclopedia
General Thomas R. Morgan (born January 6, 1930) served as the Assistant Commandant of the United States Marine Corps
from June, 1986 until he retired on July 1, 1988 after completion of more than 36 years of active service.
. He completed high school in Slatington, Pennsylvania
in 1948. Morgan graduated from Colgate University
in Hamilton, New York
, earning a Bachelor of Arts
degree in History and Political Science
in 1952. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He also holds an Master of Arts
degree in Counselor Education from the University of Virginia
, Charlottesville, Virginia (June 1973). Morgan was commissioned a Marine Corps second lieutenant on June 6, 1952 and entered The Basic School, Quantico
, Virginia. Following Basic School, he was ordered to flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola
, Florida, and was designated a Naval Aviator
in August 1954. Ordered to MCAS El Toro, California, he served as Assistant Maintenance Officer of Marine Night Fighter Squadron 542, Marine Aircraft Group 15, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
, El Toro.
In July 1955, he was ordered to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
in the Western Pacific and served as Personnel Officer of Marine Night Fighter Squadron 513, Marine Aircraft Group 11, and subsequently as Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General of the Wing. He was promoted to captain in August 1955. He returned to Hawaii for duty as Aide to the Deputy Commander, Fleet Marine Force
(FMF), Pacific from July 1956 to July 1957 and was then assigned as Assistant Operations Officer of Marine Attack Squadron 214, Marine Aircraft Group 13
, at Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe Bay
.
General Morgan was ordered to NAS
Olathe, Kansas in January 1959 as a flight instructor in the Navy's Jet Transitional Training Unit. When the unit was disestablished in October 1959, he reported for duty to Marine Aircraft Group 32
, at Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort
, South Carolina. He served as Personnel Officer and Aircraft Maintenance Officer of Marine Fighter Squadron 333
until November 1961. Ordered to WestPac, he served as Executive Officer, Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 11, Marine Aircraft Group 11, NAS Atsugi, Japan until January 1962.
From January 1962 to July 1965, he served as the Fleet Liaison Officer at Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma
, Arizona, coordinating aviation weapons training. He was promoted to major in July 1963. Reassigned to Quantico, he entered the Command and Staff College, completing the course in June 1966.Morgan was ordered to Marine Aircraft Group 32
, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
at MCAS Beaufort
, South Carolina in July 1966, where he served as Group Operations and later as Commanding Officer, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312
. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in July 1967. In August 1968, he reported to Marine Aircraft Group 13
at Chu Lai
, serving as Group Operations Officer and then as Officer-in-Charge of the DaNang DASC in Vietnam.
He returned to the United States in September 1969 and was assigned as Executive Officer of Marine Corps Air Station, Quantico, and later as G-3 Marine Corps Base. From July 1971 until July 1973, he was assigned to the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps
Unit at the University of Virginia
, where he served as Executive Officer.
Promoted to colonel in July 1973, General Morgan was ordered to the U.S. European Command Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, where he served as the Chief of War Plans Branch, J-5. He remained in that position until he was assigned duty as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Requirements and Programs, Headquarters Marine Corps
, Washington, D.C.
While serving in this capacity, he was selected in February 1977 for promotion to brigadier general. He was
promoted to brigadier general on March 18, 1977 and assumed duty as Assistant Division Commander, 3rd Marine Division, on Okinawa, Japan from April 1977 to April 1978. On June 17, 1978, he was assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff C-5 of the Combined Forces Command
, Seoul, Korea. He served in this capacity until assuming duty as Deputy Commander, FMF, Pacific
, Camp H. M. Smith
, Hawaii, in July 1980.
On May 1, 1981, Morgan was promoted to major general with date of rank of August 1, 1977. He was assigned duty as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Requirements and Programs, Headquarters Marine Corps on May 26, 1981. On June 13, 1985, he was advanced to lieutenant general and assumed the duty as Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Policies and Operations. He was assigned additional duties as Acting Chief of Staff on November 16, 1985.
General Morgan was nominated by the President to the grade of general and assignment as Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
in March 1986. Upon advancement to general on June 1, 1986, he assumed his final assignment. He retired on July 1, 1988 after completion of more than 36 years of active service.
Marine corps
A marine is a member of a force that specializes in expeditionary operations such as amphibious assault and occupation. The marines traditionally have strong links with the country's navy...
from June, 1986 until he retired on July 1, 1988 after completion of more than 36 years of active service.
Biography
Thomas R. Morgan was born on January 6, 1930 in Allentown, PennsylvaniaAllentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
. He completed high school in Slatington, Pennsylvania
Slatington, Pennsylvania
Slatington is a borough in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It is located 15 miles northwest of Allentown, in the Lehigh Valley region of the state...
in 1948. Morgan graduated from Colgate University
Colgate University
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, USA. The school was founded in 1819 as a Baptist seminary and later became non-denominational. It is named for the Colgate family who greatly contributed to the university's endowment in the 19th century.Colgate has 52...
in Hamilton, New York
Hamilton (town), New York
Hamilton is a town in Madison County, New York, United States. The population was 5,733 at the 2000 census. The town is named after American patriot Alexander Hamilton....
, earning a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in History and Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
in 1952. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He also holds an Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree in Counselor Education from the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, Charlottesville, Virginia (June 1973). Morgan was commissioned a Marine Corps second lieutenant on June 6, 1952 and entered The Basic School, Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico, sometimes abbreviated MCB Quantico, is a major United States Marine Corps training base located near Triangle, Virginia, covering nearly in southern Prince William County, northern Stafford County, and southeastern Fauquier County...
, Virginia. Following Basic School, he was ordered to flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola or NAS Pensacola , "The Cradle of Naval Aviation", is a United States Navy base located next to Warrington, Florida, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits...
, Florida, and was designated a Naval Aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
in August 1954. Ordered to MCAS El Toro, California, he served as Assistant Maintenance Officer of Marine Night Fighter Squadron 542, Marine Aircraft Group 15, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
The 3d Marine Aircraft Wing is the major west coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and provides the aviation combat element for I Marine Expeditionary Force...
, El Toro.
In July 1955, he was ordered to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
1st Marine Aircraft Wing
The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing is an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps that serves as the Aviation Combat Element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The wing is headquartered at Camp Foster on the island of Okinawa, Japan...
in the Western Pacific and served as Personnel Officer of Marine Night Fighter Squadron 513, Marine Aircraft Group 11, and subsequently as Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General of the Wing. He was promoted to captain in August 1955. He returned to Hawaii for duty as Aide to the Deputy Commander, Fleet Marine Force
Fleet Marine Force
The United States Fleet Marine Forces are combined general and special purpose forces within the United States Department of the Navy that are designed in engaging offensive amphibious or expeditionary warfare and defensive maritime employment...
(FMF), Pacific from July 1956 to July 1957 and was then assigned as Assistant Operations Officer of Marine Attack Squadron 214, Marine Aircraft Group 13
Marine Aircraft Group 13
Marine Aircraft Group 13 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma that is currently composed of four AV-8B Harrier squadrons and a maintenance and logistics squadron...
, at Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe Bay
Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Marine Corps Base Hawaii , formerly Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe Bay and originally Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay, is a U.S. Marine Corps base facility and air station located on the Mokapu Peninsula of windward O'ahu in the City & County of Honolulu. As of the 2000 Census, the base had a...
.
General Morgan was ordered to NAS
Naval Air Station
A Naval Air Station is a military airbase, and consists of a permanent land-based operations locations for the military aviation division of the relevant branch of their Navy...
Olathe, Kansas in January 1959 as a flight instructor in the Navy's Jet Transitional Training Unit. When the unit was disestablished in October 1959, he reported for duty to Marine Aircraft Group 32
Marine Aircraft Group 32
Marine Aircraft Group 32 was a United States Marine Corps aviation unit established during World War II.-World War II:Marine Aircraft Group 32 was commissioned on 1 February 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. They trained there until January of 1944 when they moved to...
, at Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort or MCAS Beaufort is a United States Marine Corps air base located three miles northwest of the central business district of Beaufort, a city in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States...
, South Carolina. He served as Personnel Officer and Aircraft Maintenance Officer of Marine Fighter Squadron 333
VMFA-333
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 333 was a United States Marine Corps fighter squadron consisting of F/A-18 Hornets . Known as the "Fighting Shamrocks" and “Trip Trey”, the squadron participated in action during World War II, the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm The squadron’s aircraft were...
until November 1961. Ordered to WestPac, he served as Executive Officer, Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 11, Marine Aircraft Group 11, NAS Atsugi, Japan until January 1962.
From January 1962 to July 1965, he served as the Fleet Liaison Officer at Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma or MCAS Yuma is a United States Marine Corps air station which is the home to multiple squadrons of AV-8B Harrier IIs of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 and Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 , an air combat adversary...
, Arizona, coordinating aviation weapons training. He was promoted to major in July 1963. Reassigned to Quantico, he entered the Command and Staff College, completing the course in June 1966.Morgan was ordered to Marine Aircraft Group 32
Marine Aircraft Group 32
Marine Aircraft Group 32 was a United States Marine Corps aviation unit established during World War II.-World War II:Marine Aircraft Group 32 was commissioned on 1 February 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. They trained there until January of 1944 when they moved to...
, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing is the major east coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps and is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina...
at MCAS Beaufort
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort or MCAS Beaufort is a United States Marine Corps air base located three miles northwest of the central business district of Beaufort, a city in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States...
, South Carolina in July 1966, where he served as Group Operations and later as Commanding Officer, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312
VMFA-312
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 is a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron. Also known as the "Checkerboards", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing .-World...
. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in July 1967. In August 1968, he reported to Marine Aircraft Group 13
Marine Aircraft Group 13
Marine Aircraft Group 13 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma that is currently composed of four AV-8B Harrier squadrons and a maintenance and logistics squadron...
at Chu Lai
Chu Lai
Chu Lai is a sea port, urban and industrial area in Dung Quat Bay, Núi Thành district, Quang Nam province of Vietnam. The city is served by Chu Lai Airport.-Vietnam War:...
, serving as Group Operations Officer and then as Officer-in-Charge of the DaNang DASC in Vietnam.
He returned to the United States in September 1969 and was assigned as Executive Officer of Marine Corps Air Station, Quantico, and later as G-3 Marine Corps Base. From July 1971 until July 1973, he was assigned to the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps
Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps
The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program is a college-based, commissioned officer training program of the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps.-Origins:...
Unit at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, where he served as Executive Officer.
Promoted to colonel in July 1973, General Morgan was ordered to the U.S. European Command Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, where he served as the Chief of War Plans Branch, J-5. He remained in that position until he was assigned duty as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Requirements and Programs, Headquarters Marine Corps
Headquarters Marine Corps
Headquarters Marine Corps is a headquarters staff within the Department of the Navy which includes the offices of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and various staff functions...
, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
While serving in this capacity, he was selected in February 1977 for promotion to brigadier general. He was
promoted to brigadier general on March 18, 1977 and assumed duty as Assistant Division Commander, 3rd Marine Division, on Okinawa, Japan from April 1977 to April 1978. On June 17, 1978, he was assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff C-5 of the Combined Forces Command
United Nations Command (Korea)
The United Nations Command is the unified command structure for the multinational military forces supporting the Republic of Korea during and after the Korean War...
, Seoul, Korea. He served in this capacity until assuming duty as Deputy Commander, FMF, Pacific
United States Marine Corps Forces Pacific
Marine Forces Pacific are the forces from the United States Marine Corps that fall under the United States Pacific Command. It is the largest field command in the Marine Corps. Headquartered at Camp H. M...
, Camp H. M. Smith
Camp H. M. Smith
Camp H. M. Smith is a United States Marine Corps installation in the Hawaiian town of Aiea on the island of Oahu, near the community of Halawa Heights...
, Hawaii, in July 1980.
On May 1, 1981, Morgan was promoted to major general with date of rank of August 1, 1977. He was assigned duty as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Requirements and Programs, Headquarters Marine Corps on May 26, 1981. On June 13, 1985, he was advanced to lieutenant general and assumed the duty as Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Policies and Operations. He was assigned additional duties as Acting Chief of Staff on November 16, 1985.
General Morgan was nominated by the President to the grade of general and assignment as Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
The Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps is the second highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps, and serves as a deputy for the Commandant of the Marine Corps...
in March 1986. Upon advancement to general on June 1, 1986, he assumed his final assignment. He retired on July 1, 1988 after completion of more than 36 years of active service.
Awards and decorations
General Morgan's personal awards and decorations include: |
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| Naval Aviator Badge United States Aviator Badge A United States Aviator Badge refers to three types of aviation badges issued by the United States military, those being for Army, Air Force, and Naval aviation.... |
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| 1st Row | Defense Superior Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."... |
Legion of Merit Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements... |
Bronze Star Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the... |
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| 2nd Row | Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (United States) The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969... |
Air Medal Air Medal The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:... |
Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal Commendation Medal The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may... |
Combat Action Ribbon Combat Action Ribbon The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal military decoration of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard which is awarded to those who, in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy and Coast Guard , have actively participated in ground or... |
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| 3rd Row | Navy Presidential Unit Citation | Navy Unit Commendation Navy Unit Commendation The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944... |
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions.... w/ 1 service star Service star A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service... |
Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal The Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal is a decoration of the United States Marine Corps which was first created on 8 May 1919. Originally known as the Marine Corps Expeditionary Ribbon, a full-sized medal was authorized in July 1921 by Presidential Order of Warren G. Harding... |
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| 4th Row | National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... w/ 1 service star |
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy... |
Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during... w/ 5 service stars |
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon Sea Service Ribbon A Sea Service Ribbon is an award of the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard and the United States Army which recognizes those service members who have performed military duty while stationed on a vessel at sea.... |
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| 5th Row | Order of National Security Merit, Cheon-Su Medal Order of National Security Merit (Korea) The Order of National Security Merit is one of the Republic of Korea's Orders of Merit. It is conferred on individuals who have rendered distinguished service to national security, and is primarily a military award.... |
Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit citation Vietnam Gallantry Cross The Vietnam Gallantry Cross was a military decoration of South Vietnam which wasestablished in August 1950. Also known as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Gallantry Cross was awarded to any military personnel who have accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting an... |
Vietnam Civil Actions unit citation Vietnam Civil Actions Medal The Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was a decoration of South Vietnam which was first established in 1964. The decoration is a mid-level service award which was awarded to any member of the Vietnamese military who performed outstanding civic service to the state or who participated in civil service... |
Vietnam Campaign Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal The Vietnam Campaign Medal is a military recognition awarded by the Republic of Vietnam, , to any member of the United States, Australian, New Zealand and allied military forces serving six months or more in support of Republic of Vietnam military operations.Established in 1966, the decoration is... |
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