BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY Morris was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama in a March 18, 2014 ceremony in the White House. The award comes through the Defense Authorization Act which called for a review of Jewish American and Hispanic American veterans from WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War to ensure that no prejudice was shown to those deserving the Medal of Honor. [2]
Melvin Morris was born and grew up in Okmulgee Oklahoma. In 1959 Morris joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard and soon after joined the active duty Army. "Being in the military was better than being in trouble," he said. He excelled in the military becoming one of the first green berets in 1961 and twice volunteered for tours in Vietnam.[3]
Melvin Morris received the Medal of Honor for his valorous actions on Sept. 17, 1969, while commanding the Third Company, Third Battalion of the IV Mobile Strike Force near Chi Lang, Vietnam. Then-Staff Sgt. Morris led an advance across enemy lines to retrieve another Sargent from his company. Staff Sgt. Morris was shot three times while trying to retrieve his fallen comrade. Despite this he single-handedly destroyed an enemy force in a series of bunkers that was pinning his battalion with a bag of grenades.[4]
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Morris received the Bronze Star Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal Silver with one Loop, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver Star, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral "3", Army Service Ribbon,Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral "4", Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar, Special Forces Tab, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze S.
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