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SSG Charles B.
Morris
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant (then Sgt.), U.S.
Army, Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry,
173d Airborne Brigade (Separate)
Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 29 June 1966
Entered service at: Roanoke, Virginia
Born: 29 December 1931, Carroll County, Virginia
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty. Seeing indications
of the enemy's presence in the area, S/Sgt. Morris deployed
his squad and continued forward alone to make a
reconnaissance. He unknowingly crawled within 20 meters of
an enemy machine gun, whereupon the gunner fired, wounding
him in the chest. S/Sgt. Morris instantly returned the fire
and killed the gunner. Continuing to crawl within a few feet
of the gun, he hurled a grenade and killed the remainder of
the enemy crew. Although in pain and bleeding profusely,
S/Sgt. Morris continued his reconnaissance. Returning to the
platoon area, he reported the results of his reconnaissance
to the platoon leader. As he spoke, the platoon came under
heavy fire. Refusing medical attention for himself, he
deployed his men in better firing positions confronting the
entrenched enemy to his front. Then for 8 hours the platoon
engaged the numerically superior enemy force. Withdrawal was
impossible without abandoning many wounded and dead. Finding
the platoon medic dead, S/Sgt. Morris administered first aid
to himself and was returning to treat the wounded members of
his squad with the medic's first aid kit when he was again
wounded. Knocked down and stunned, he regained consciousness
and continued to treat the wounded, reposition his men, and
inspire and encourage their efforts. Wounded again when an
enemy grenade shattered his left hand, nonetheless he
personally took up the fight and armed and threw several
grenades which killed a number of enemy soldiers. Seeing
that an enemy machine gun had maneuvered behind his platoon
and was delivering the fire upon his men, S/Sgt. Morris and
another man crawled toward the gun to knock it out. His
comrade was killed and S/Sgt. Morris sustained another
wound, but, firing his rifle with 1 hand, he silenced the
enemy machine gun. Returning to the platoon, he courageously
exposed himself to the devastating enemy fire to drag the
wounded to a protected area, and with utter disregard for
his personal safety and the pain he suffered, he continued
to lead and direct the efforts of his men until relief
arrived. Upon termination of the battle, important documents
were found among the enemy dead revealing a planned ambush
of a Republic of Vietnam battalion. Use of this information
prevented the ambush and saved many lives. S/Sgt. Morris'
gallantry was instrumental in the successful defeat of the
enemy, saved many lives, and was in the highest traditions
of the U.S. Army.
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