Charles Bedford Morris | |
Birth Date: | 29 December 1931 |
Birth Place: | Carroll County, Virginia, U.S. |
Placeofburial: | Morris Cemetery, Fancy Gap, Virginia |
Placeofburial Label: | Place of burial |
Allegiance: | United States |
Branch: | United States Army |
Serviceyears: | 1953 - 1981 |
Rank: | Sergeant major |
Unit: | 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate) |
Battles: | Korean War Vietnam War |
Awards: | Medal of Honor Bronze Star Purple Heart |
Charles Bedford Morris (December 29, 1931 - August 22, 1996) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.
Morris joined the Army from Roanoke, Virginia, in 1953,[1] and briefly served during the Korean War before serving in Vietnam. By June 29, 1966, he was a sergeant in Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate). During a firefight on that day in the Republic of Vietnam, Morris continued to lead his squad, fight the enemy, and help the wounded despite being wounded himself four separate times. For his actions during the battle, he was promoted to staff sergeant and, on December 14, 1967, awarded the Medal of Honor.
Morris reached the highest enlisted rank, sergeant major, before retiring from the Army. He died at age 64 and was buried in Morris Cemetery, Fancy Gap, Virginia.
Staff Sergeant Morris' Medal of Honor citation reads: