Name: William D. Morgan
Rank: Corporal
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Company H, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division
Place: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Born: 17 September 1947, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Summary of Action
During Operation Dewey Canyon, southeast of Vandergrift Combat Base, Corporal William D. Morgan’s platoon attacked a heavily fortified North Vietnamese Army bunker complex hidden in dense jungle terrain.
One of the platoon’s squads became pinned down under devastating automatic weapons fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Several Marines were hit. Two of the wounded lay in an exposed position directly in the enemy’s line of fire. Every attempt to reach them was stopped cold.
Morgan saw the problem clearly.
Without hesitation, he maneuvered through thick jungle undergrowth to a road that ran directly in front of the enemy’s principal firing position — the bunker that was cutting his Marines down.
Fully aware of what it would mean, thinking only of the wounded men trapped ahead, he shouted words of encouragement and launched an aggressive assault across the open road.
He was completely exposed.
Enemy gunners immediately shifted their fire toward him. As he charged the bunker, he was mortally wounded.
But his attack did exactly what he intended.
The enemy focused on Morgan. In that moment, the diversion allowed the rest of his squad to reach the wounded Marines, pull them to safety, and ultimately overrun the North Vietnamese position.
His decision cost him his life — and saved two of his brothers.
Corporal Morgan’s fearless initiative, indomitable courage, and absolute devotion to his fellow Marines reflect the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Medal of Honor Citation
MORGAN, WILLIAM D.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company H, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division.
Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 25 February 1969.
Entered service at: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Born: 17 September 1947, Pittsburgh, Pa.
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 Vandergrift Combat Base, 1 of the squads of Cpl. 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, Cpl. 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, Cpl. 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. Cpl. 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.
Name: William D. Morgan
