George Stephen Morrison facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Stephen Morrison
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| Nickname(s) | Steve |
| Born | January 7, 1919 Rome, Georgia |
| Died | November 17, 2008 (aged 89) Coronado, California |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1938–1975 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands held | Naval Forces Marianas USS Bon Homme Richard |
| Battles/wars | World War II
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| Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal |
| Spouse(s) |
Clara Virginia Clarke
(m. 1942; died 2005) |
| Children | 3, including Jim |
George Stephen Morrison (born January 7, 1919 – died November 17, 2008) was a brave officer in the United States Navy. He became a Rear Admiral and was also a naval aviator, meaning he was a pilot for the Navy.
Admiral Morrison was in charge of U.S. Navy forces during an important event called the Gulf of Tonkin Incident in August 1964. This event led to more American involvement in the Vietnam War. He was also the father of Jim Morrison, who was the famous lead singer of the rock band The Doors.
Contents
Early Life and Education
George Stephen Morrison was born on January 7, 1919, in Rome, Georgia. He grew up in Leesburg, Florida. His family came from Scotland a long time ago.
In 1938, he joined the U.S. Naval Academy. He finished his studies and became an ensign (a junior officer) in 1941. He was sent to Hawaii and joined the crew of a destroyer ship called the USS Pruitt. On December 7, 1941, he saw the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which was a very important moment in history.
Morrison started his flight training in 1943 in Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. He became a pilot in the spring of 1944. He flew many missions in the Pacific Ocean during World War II.
After the war, he taught about nuclear weapons programs. During the Korean War, he worked at a special operations center in Seoul. For his brave actions there, he received the Bronze Star Medal.
Leading the Bon Homme Richard
In 1963, Morrison became the commander of a large aircraft carrier named the USS Bon Homme Richard. This ship was the main ship of a group of Navy ships in the Pacific Ocean.
In August 1964, he was in charge of this group during the Gulf of Tonkin Incident. This event was very important because it led to President Lyndon Johnson sending more American forces to Vietnam, which was the real start of the Vietnam War.
Later Commands and Retirement
In 1967, Morrison was promoted to rear admiral. In 1968, he commanded a special group of ships that helped fight against forces in North Vietnam. This group also went to Korea to help South Korean forces. He successfully led his group, even when Soviet Navy ships tried to get in their way.
In 1972, he became the Commander Naval Forces Marianas. In this role, he helped many Vietnamese refugees who came to Guam after the war ended in 1975.
Admiral Morrison was the main speaker at a ceremony for the Bon Homme Richard ship on July 3, 1971. This was the first ship he commanded as an admiral. His son, Jim Morrison, who was a famous rock musician, passed away the very next day in Paris.
Morrison retired from the Navy in August 1975 as a rear admiral (upper half).
Awards and Honors
George Stephen Morrison received many awards for his service in the Navy. These awards show his bravery and dedication.
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His main awards included:
- Navy Distinguished Service Medal
- Legion of Merit (with an extra award for a second time)
- Bronze Star Medal (for bravery)
- Air Medal
- Many campaign and service medals from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Family Life
Morrison met Clara Virginia Clarke in Hawaii in 1942, and they got married. Their son, Jim Morrison, was born in late 1943 in Melbourne, Florida. Jim later became the famous lead singer of The Doors.
They also had a daughter, Anne Robin Morrison, born in 1947. She became a school teacher. Their second son, Andrew Lee Morrison, was born in 1948.
Later Years and Legacy
After retiring, the Morrisons lived in Coronado, California and Chula Vista, California. Clara Clarke Morrison passed away in 2005 after a long illness.
Rear Admiral Morrison passed away on November 17, 2008, in Coronado. A private service was held for him at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. His ashes were scattered at sea near Point Loma, in the same area where his wife's ashes had been scattered a few years earlier.
