GRAVETTE -- Sixty-nine years after his service during WWII, Alfred L. Morris, born April 14, 1925, and raised in Gravette, was recognized in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 7, by the U.S. Army in a medal presentation. He was awarded two medals at the special ceremony in Tennessee.
At first Morris didn't want to receive medals for his military service because there were so many others who served at his side that never had the opportunity to come home and live a wonderful life, he said. But he finally agreed to accept the medals, not only for his service but for the service of all of those soldiers who served beside him in the war.
Alfred L. Morris, Private, Company F, 317th Infantry Regiment, was a 5-foot-9-inch, 155-pound, 18 year old when he voluntarily enlisted to defend his country during World War II.
Morris was born and raised in Gravette, where he had been working as a mechanic. His parents and siblings lived in a small house next to the Baptist Church on West Main Street in Gravette, two blocks west of the railroad tracks.
According to his son, Rod Morris, the house has since been torn down and the property is now owned by the Baptist Church. According to biographical information supplied by Rod Morris, Alfred enjoyed evenings dancing to Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman at the local community hall in his small hometown of Gravette.
On Aug. 24, 1944, Alfred Morris departed America to arrive in Europe on Sept. 1, 1944. He served as a sharpshooter rifleman in the 317th Infantry Regiment in the European Theatre, Rhineland Campaign.
As an infantry foot soldier, he served in the Battle of the Bulge and spent months on the frontline with limited supplies in the bitter, cold weather.
Morris never spoke much about his service in the army until about five years ago, his family members say. The memories of combat and the constant fear of being killed kept many soldiers from ever speaking about the tragic moments of serving in that war.
It was a bitter, cold December day, according to his children, when he commented to his daughter about hating the cold. He said that as, a foot soldier in World War II, he spent many days on foot out in the cold without ever being able to get dry.
A few years after first speaking about his service in World War II, Morris' family took him to the World War II Museum in New Orleans, La. As Morris entered the museum, he walked up to the amphibious boat in the lobby and described how, as a young 18-year-old, he jumped off the amphibious boat with water up to his chin and had to hold his rifle and ammo above his head as he avoided incoming rounds to reach the shore. He sadly reported that not many of his fellow soldiers made it to shore.
He also said to his children, "You learned how to quickly dig a foxhole with all of the mortar rounds landing around you."
He also shared his friendship and respect for his favorite foxhole friend, Edward McClure. He said it was smart to choose a foxhole buddy you liked and trusted because you spent many nights together with this person in a cold hole. Most importantly, this person was your protector while you took your shifts sleeping.
Morris spoke of the "tricks" he and other soldiers learned to try to stay dry and warm in the foxholes. Sometimes their helmets were used as a seat to keep their bottoms dry. They also used the blade portion of their shovels to rest their feet to try and keep them dry.
One of his family's favorite stories about Morris' service in the war was how he acquired the nickname "Chef."
When Morris and his troop came upon an abandoned house in France, Morris caught and cooked 18 chickens. They found potatoes and onions in the cellar and the "chef" cooked a wonderful southern meal, complete with fried chicken, onions, potatoes and gravy.
After spending months on the battlefront without his feet and shoes ever getting dry, Morris told his sergeant he needed to get new boots and was sent to a medical supply tent. When he arrived, his feet were so swollen medics had to cut off his boots. He was then sent to a medic holding area, then to a hospital in France.
His feet had been frozen and gangrene had set in, but the army medical team was able to save his feet.
Morris was then shipped back to the United States on Feb. 11, 1945. He recounted that the ship was lined with rows and rows of bunk beds with injured soldiers. Morris was admitted to Brooke Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, in late February of 1945 and remained there until July 28, 1945.
On July 31, 1945, in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Morris was honorably discharged.
Morris married Barbara Smith Morris and they had four children: Cecelia Morris Bartholomew, Rod Morris, Cynthia Morris Hosking, and Carole Morris Carter. His wife died in September of 2014.
Morris lived in Hendersonville, Tenn., for more than 35 years. His children also now reside in the Nashville area.
Sixty-nine years later, Major General Max Haston presented Private Alfred L. Morris the medals he earned while serving his country: the European Campaign Medal and Bronze Star Sharp Shooter Badge with Rifle Bar.
Morris' children say the following quote from Tom Brokaw's book, "The Greatest Generation," is a fitting description of their dad and his generation: "It is a generation of towering achievement and modest demeanor, a legacy of their formative years when they were participants in and witness to sacrifices of the highest order. They know how many of the best of their generation didn't make it to their early twenties, how many brilliant scientists, teachers, spiritual and business leaders, politicians and artists were lost in the ravages of the greatest war the world has seen."
The Morris children describe their dad as the greatest of that great generation.
The Awards
The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is awarded for any service performed between Dec. 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, dates inclusive, provided such service was performed in the following geographical theater areas: West boundary -- from the North Pole, south along the 75th meridian west longitude to the 77th parallel north latitude, thence southeast through Davis Strait to the intersection of the 40th parallel north latitude and the 35th meridian west longitude, thence sough along that meridian to the 10th parallel north latitude, thence southeast to the intersection of the equator and the 20th meridian west longitude, thence along the 20th meridian west longitude to the South Pole. East boundary -- from the North Pole, south along the 60th meridian east longitude to its intersection with the eastern border of Iran, thence south along that border to the Gulf of Oman and the intersection of the 60th meridian east longitude, thence south along the 60th meridian east longitude to the South Pole.
Sharpshooter Badge -- Rifle
The United States Army awards Army Marksmanship Qualification Badges to soldiers and foreign military personnel who qualify at three different qualification levels (highest to lowest): Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman. Suspended from the badge are Army Weapon Qualification Clasps that indicate the type of weapon the individual has qualified to use.
General News on 12/24/2014