Recently, there was a meeting in North White
County of the three surviving Morris Brothers. Their story is
a very interesting one. At this meeting, they discussed their time in the "Theaters"
(World War II). There were seven brothers in this family, all of which served in W.W.II,
and all survived the conflict to return to the U.S. In addition to the seven brothers, the
family had three sisters. Two of these sisters were married to American Servicemen also
involved in combat situations in W.W.II.
The Morris family is from a small farm in the
community of Denmark, Arkansas. In 1931, the family moved to the Searcy area where their
father, John Morris, served White County as a bridge foreman. He also served as the White
County Deputy Assessor and later as the White County Assessor. The family, having strong
ties to this county, developed strong patriotic values. When their country needed them,
they were proud to serve. In several instances this meant the ultimate sacrifice. But,
amazingly enough all seven brothers saw combat and all returned, an overwhelming feat for
a family of this size. But even more extraordinary, their two brothers-in-law also
returned from the South Pacific.
Three of the seven brothers were already serving
their country before that horrible day, December 7, 1941, when our fleet at Pearl Harbor
Hawaii was fired upon and the United States entered the war. Ecil Morris, serving in the
United States Navy, was stationed in Manila, Philippines. George Morris was also serving
in the Navy on a "Cruiser." His ship pulled out of Pearl Harbor at daybreak and
watched in wonder, from the deck of their ship, where the Japanese planes were headed. Ted
Morris, the oldest of the seven, was serving in the United States Coast Guard at the Coast
Guard Air Station in San Diego, California.
The family served in various capacities all over the
world. From the United States Army to the United States Coast Guard, this family was in
the thick of the war.
1. Ted K. Morris,
Aviation Chief Machinist's Mate, enlisted into the United States Coast Guard in 1926.
Serving the United States in various ways, he was already a veteran when W.W.II began.
During the war, he served four years overseas in two duty stations. These duty stations
were Alaska and Pearl Harbor. His awards and decorations are as follows: Asiatic-Pacific
Theater Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, American Defense Service Ribbon and the Coast
Guard Good Conduct Medal.
2. Raymond C. Morris, L. T .C., was commissioned
into the United States Army Reserve Officers Corps on February 5, 1942. Col. Morris was
sent to the Southwest Pacific in March 1942 and there remained for forty months. He
participated in four campaigns. The East Indies, New Guinea, Southern Philippines, and
Luzon. His awards are The Bronze Star Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one
battle star.
3. Ecil O. Morris, Chief Motor Machinist's Mate,
enlisted in the United States Navy on December 12,1933. In March of 1944, he was sent to
the Southwest Pacific area and saw action in the Philippines, the battle of Java Sea,
Midway Island and Bonins Islands. His awards are as follows: the Arnly Distinguished
Service Badge, the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater
Ribbon. He was Honorably discharged on April 7, 1945 in New London, Connecticut.
4. John H. Morris Jr., Radio Operator 2/c, enlisted
into the United States Navy on May 11, 1944. After six months of stateside duty, he was
assigned to transport duty in the South Pacific. Overseas for fourteen months, he took
part in the liberation of the Philippines and the capture of Okinawa. He was honorably
discharged January 14, 1946, at San Francisco, California.
5. George C. Morris, Chief Radioman, enlisted in the
United States Navy March 11, 1938. He attended Submarine School at New London,
Connecticut. Serving with the Submarine Force, Chief Morris was at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii at
the time of the Japanese attack and later took part in the Bougainville, Guadalcanal and
the Midway Campaigns. He also took part in the Naval battles of the Coral Sea, Guadalcanal
and Tassafaronga. In two overseas tours of duty, he took part in four submarine war
patrols and saw three years of Foreign Service. The commander-in-chief of the Pacific
fleet commended him. He received a commendation from Admiral C. W. Nimitz for meritorious
conduct in perfornlance ofhis duties during a war patrol. He also received a personal
commendation from Admiral Nimitz duty above and beyond the call of service.
6. James B. Morris, Lt.(junior grade), was
commissioned into the United States Navy September 9, 1942. After his training, he became
a Naval Air Corps Fighter Pilot and was sent to the Southwest Pacific in December 1944.
Lieutenant Morris took part in the Okinawa campaign and the air attack against Japan. He
was awarded the Air Medal with one Battle Star.
7. Stephen M. Morris, U. S. Navy, was anxious to
join his brothers in the South Pacific, so he falsified his birth record to join the
United States Navy . After boot camp in San Diego, California, he spent eighteen months on
a Navy "Cruiser", most of which was in the South Pacific during the years of
1945 and 1946. He served in the Guam/Saigon area. He was awarded the World War II Victory
Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
There were three sisters of this family. These
three sisters names were Alton Morris Siler. Arondale Morris Street and Betty Morris
Rainwater. Two of which were married to American serviceman. Those two men were Ira Siler
and Eugene Street. These two men also served in the South Pacific, their stories are as
follows:
1. Ira Siler, CPL U.S. Arnly, entered the United
States Arnly December 30, 1943. Assigned to the field artillery, he did his training at
Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. In December of 1944, he was sent to the European Theater and remained
overseas for fourteen months. CPL Siler took part in the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central
Europe Campaigns. He was awarded the European Theater Ribbon with three Battle Stars and
the Army Good Conduct Medal.
2. Eugene Street, U.S. Arnly, Served with
distinction in the 14th Arnlored Division. In October 1944, he was deployed to the
European Theater, and there served in a back-up force for the Battle of the Bulge
(Ardennes Offensive). Total time in an overseas tour of duty, Mr. Street spent fourteen
months. His awards include the European Theater Ribbon with three Battle Stars, the
European Occupation Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
As you can see, this family has an
extraordinary story. They all fought proudly tor their country when we needed their
service to defend this "Great Country."
T o all the Veterans of Foreign Wars, we salute you.
. . In the trying times of this country, you all have given sacrifices for freedom. And,
to those of you who gave the ultimate sacrifice, "God's Speed" to your home. We
remember the sacrifices and are ever mindful that you are not alone. If this country
should call again, there are more soldiers that will step up and take The American Flag to
fight for any reason deemed necessary by our government, whether it be Communism, Fascism,
or any other opposing force that threatens our way of life.
"WE WERE THERE, AND FOREVER WILL BE!"
