Melvin Morris facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Melvin Morris
Morris receiving the Medal of Honor from President Obama in 2014.
Born	(1942-01-07) January 7, 1942 (age 84) Okmulgee, Oklahoma, US
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1959–1985
Rank	Sergeant First Class
Unit	Company D, 5th Special Forces Group 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne)
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
Awards	Medal of Honor Bronze Star Medal (2) Purple Heart (2) Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal Army Commendation Medal (2) with "V" device

Melvin Morris, born on January 7, 1942, is an American hero. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was a brave Special Forces soldier, also known as a Green Beret. For his incredible courage, he received the Medal of Honor, the highest military award in the United States.

Melvin Morris's Early Life and Army Career

Melvin Morris (left) with a fellow soldier in Vietnam.

Melvin Morris was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, on January 7, 1942. When he was 17, in 1959, he joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard. Soon after, he joined the regular United States Army.

In 1961, Morris achieved something special. He became one of the first soldiers to earn the title of a Green Beret. This happened at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Green Berets are highly trained soldiers who go on special missions. Morris bravely volunteered to serve in South Vietnam two times during the war.

After many years of service, Morris retired from the Army. He held the rank of Sergeant First Class.

In 2019, Morris shared his experiences in a magazine called Hallowed Ground. He wrote about visiting Fort Wagner in Charleston, South Carolina. This historic place is where Sergeant William Harvey Carney earned his own Medal of Honor back in 1863. Carney was part of the 54th Massachusetts regiment.

Since December 1990, Melvin Morris and his family have lived in Brevard County, Florida.

Melvin Morris's Heroic Actions and the Medal of Honor

On September 17, 1969, Melvin Morris showed incredible bravery during the Vietnam War. He was a Staff Sergeant leading a group called the Third Company, Third Battalion of the IV Mobile Strike Force. They were near a place called Chi Lăng in South Vietnam.

During a fierce battle, one of his sergeants was wounded and fell in an area controlled by the enemy. Sergeant Morris bravely led his team forward. He went across enemy lines to bring his fallen comrade back to safety.

While doing this, his group was stopped by enemy soldiers hidden in bunkers. Sergeant Morris, acting alone, used grenades to destroy these enemy positions. He cleared the way for his battalion to move forward. During this intense fight, he was shot three times. His actions saved his team and allowed them to continue their mission.

Many years later, on March 18, 2014, Sergeant Morris received the Medal of Honor. President Barack Obama presented him with this prestigious award at the White House. This special recognition came after a review of military records. The review made sure that all deserving veterans, especially those from minority groups, received the highest honors for their service in conflicts like World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. It was important to ensure everyone was recognized fairly.