WELCOME TO THE VETERAN'S FORUM

Most of us know of the sacrifice made by our classmate, William David Morgan, who heroically gave his life in Vietnam in 1969.  As far as we know at this time, he is our only classmate killed in Vietnam.  As a recipient of the Medal of Honor presented by the Congress of the United States of America, he deserves our respect and our gratitude

Along with honoring William David Morgan, this forum is designed to provide an opportunity for others of us who served to share memories and photos about their time of service.

This forum is open as well to any other classmate who wishes to post a comment or share a memory about a classmate they know who served our country.

Our purpose is to recognize and honor those who have served, not to revisit wounds from the past.

Thank you to all of our classmates who have served this country.

MARCH 29 
Proclaimend Vietnam Veteran's Day

____________________________________________

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

March 29, 2012

Presidential Proclamation -- Vietnam Veterans Day

VIETNAM VETERANS DAY

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

On January 12, 1962, United States Army pilots lifted more than 1,000 South Vietnamese service members over jungle and underbrush to capture a National Liberation Front stronghold near Saigon.  Operation Chopper marked America's first combat mission against the Viet Cong, and the beginning of one of our longest and most challenging wars.  Through more than a decade of conflict that tested the fabric of our Nation, the service of our men and women in uniform stood true.  Fifty years after that fateful mission, we honor the more than 3 million Americans who served, we pay tribute to those we have laid to rest, and we reaffirm our dedication to showing a generation of veterans the respect and support of a grateful Nation.

************* A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM DAVID MORGAN***********

William D. Morgan, Medal of Honor recipient
Born	September 17, 1947 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Died	February 25, 1969 (aged 21) KIA, Quang Tri Province, Vietnam
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1966-1969
Rank	Corporal
Unit	2nd Battalion 9th Marines
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
Awards	Medal of Honor Purple Heart

Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States in the name of the Congress of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a squad leader with Company H, in operations against the enemy. While participating in Operation DEWEY CANYON southeast of Vandegrift Combat Base, one of the squads of Corporal Morgan's platoon was temporarily pinned down and sustained several casualties while attacking a North Vietnamese Army force occupying a heavily fortified bunker complex. Observing that 2 of the wounded Marines had fallen in a position dangerously exposed to the enemy fire and that all attempts to evacuate them were halted by a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire and rocket-propelled grenades, Corporal Morgan unhesitatingly maneuvered through the dense jungle undergrowth to a road that passed in front of a hostile emplacement which was the principal source of enemy fire. Fully aware of the possible consequences of his valiant action, but thinking only of the welfare of his injured companions, Corporal Morgan shouted words of encouragement to them as he initiated an aggressive assault against the hostile bunker. While charging across the open road, he was clearly visible to the hostile soldiers who turned their fire in his direction and mortally wounded him, but his diversionary tactic enabled the remainder of his squad to retrieve their casualties and overrun the North Vietnamese Army position. His heroic and determined actions saved the lives of 2 fellow Marines and were instrumental in the subsequent defeat of the enemy. Corporal Morgan's indomitable courage, inspiring initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Services. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

/S/ RICHARD M. NIXON

Additional Information

One of the Marines that was saved by William Morgan that day is Robert "Bob" Ballou of Redlands, California. One of the Marines KIA was Robinson Santiago who was directly behind Bob Ballou.

[edit] In memory

The name of William David Morgan is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial ("The Wall") on Panel 31W Line 054[1] There is a small memorial to him at Mount Lebanon High School.