At the too young age of 16 James ("Jimmie") D Morton Jr forged his grandmother's name on a Permission Slip, and, enlisted (Basic Training at Ft Bragg, NC - 41st Engineer Regiment-Colored) approximately one year prior to Pearl Harbor being bombed (i.e., he enlisted 29 Jan 1941).
After completing Basic Training and after he attended Company Clerk Schooling (Personnel/Financial Specialist Course) he was promoted to Corporal and Company Clerk, and, reassigned to the 97th Engineer Regiment (colored) at Camp Blanding, FL from Jun 1941 until Sep 1941. In Oct 1941 he was promoted to S/Sgt and was assigned as the Regimental Message Center's Chief Clerk at Camp Blanding.
In Apr 1942 the 97th Engineer Regiment was transferred to Alaska to help build the Alcan Highway, and, S/Sgt. Jimmie Morton worked there as Regimental Message Center Chief until Nov 1944 (the 1700 mile Alcan Highway Project was completed between Apr 1942 and Nov 1942 at a cost of 135 million dollars, and, contained 200 bridges and 8000 culverts...it was a massive and major accomplishment which was in the same league as the building of the Panama Canal).
97th Engineer Regiment
In late 1944 the members of the 97th were reassigned, and, Jimmie went to Camp Sutton NC, and, shortly thereafter he was assigned to the Pacific Theater Of Operations. Jimmie was assigned to New Guinea. In New Guinea he served with the 29th QM Group as T/Sgt & Chief Clerk. Sometime later in 1944 he was reassigned to the Philippines, and, once again, with the 29th QM Group. In Feb 1945, at the age of 20, he was promoted to Master Sergeant and, also, was appointed the duties of Group Sergeant Major. He served in the Philippines until 3rd Quarter 1945. He mustered out of the Army in early Nov 1945 and worked a short while in Franklin, TN as a Milk Delivery Truck Driver.
He married his high school sweetheart Carey Beal in November 1945 and, in December 1945 he re-enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant & was appointed Sergeant Major with the 450th AAA AW Battalion - Colored at Fort Bliss, El Paso TX, and, continued military service as a Career Soldier.
In Apr 1947 Jimmie left the 450th AAA Battalion and was reassigned to the 370th Armored Infantry Battalion - Colored as Operational NCO. In the year 1948 or, perhaps, a little earlier, his 370th Infantry Battalion was transported to Germany. On August 27, 1948, his wife Carey and his 1st son, i.e., infant Maurice Morton, joined him and lived with him in Kitzengin Germany. Jimmie served in Germany until the year 1949 as part of the WWII German Occupation Forces. He was enrolled at the U. S. Constabulary School - Sandorf, Germany (Personnel Supervisor's Course) from Apr 1949 until Jun 1949, and, later, he served with the 9940th TSU and his assigned duties were his enrollment in the Medical Field Service School. In mid 1949 Jimmie and his family were in Texas and he was at Brooke Army Medical Center - Fort Sam Houston.
In Sep 1949 Jimmie was promoted to Warrant Officer JG (RW0906918) and he immediately made application in regard to the Department Of The Army's request for: "Warrant Officer Volunteers For Assignment To Airborne Divisions And Paratroop Training". Jimmie's application for transfer was approved and Jimmie was reassigned to Co "G", 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Meade, MD until Feb 1952.
14th Infantry Regiment
In Apr 1952 Jimmie was reassigned and transported to Company "M", 3rd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division in Korea. During the Korean War Jimmie was assigned as a Motor (Pool) Officer/Unit Administrator serving 35 miles from the Front Line. Jimmie volunteered to lead an M20 Heavy Weapons Platoon, i.e., 75mm Recoilless Rifle H.E.A.T. Weapons (High Explosive Anti-Tank) at the Front Line. Consequently, on, or about, late August 1952 the 44 troops in the four (4) M20 H.E.A.T. Weapons Squads of his Platoon began engaging in combat operations in the areas in, near, or around Heart Break Ridge, the Punch Bowl, and Pork Chop Hill. On 26 Nov 1952 Jimmie was awarded a "Battlefield Commission" as a 2nd Lt., and, on 2 Mar 1953 he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The Commander of Co. "M" was Captain Charles F. Carter Jr., and, to the best of my knowledge Colonel H. G. Learnard Jr. Commanded the 14th Infantry Regiment at that time.
After Korea 1st Lt. Jimmie D. Morton served as Training Officer for the 101st Airborne Division's 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Ft. Jackson, SC [In the mid 1950s Ft Jackson, SC was HQ and the home of the "Screaming Eagles"].
From 01 Jan 57 until 05 Jan 58 1st Lt Jimmie D. Morton served as a Platoon Leader within Company "B" - 371st Armored Infantry Battalion in Nurenberg Germany, and, later, he served with them in Worms Germany.
From 06 Jan 58 until 01 Sep 61 - 1st Lt, and, later, Captain Jimmie D. Morton served in Mannheim Germany as an Armor Officer to include holding assignments as Liaison Officer, Tank Unit Commander, Asst Adjutant 4th Armor Group, Co "B" Executive Officer, Commander Company "B", Commander HQ Company, and, later Battalion Adjutant for the 510th Heavy Tank Battalion [re-designated 3rd Medium Tank Battalion of the 35th Armor on 01 May 1958].
510th Heavy Tank Battalion
On 20 Oct 1950 the 10th Cavalry Regiment [i.e., one of the original Buffalo Soldiers outfits] was removed from the 2nd Cavalry Division and its Regimental History and Regimental Colors were re-designated to the 510th Heavy Tank Battalion - Colored.
On 17 Nov 1950 the Battalion was activated at Camp Polk, Louisiana. In 3rd Quarter 1952 the Battalion was transported to Germany. On 10 Oct 1952 the 510th Heavy Tank Battalion moved into Sullivan Barracks at Mannheim, Germany. In 1954 the good people of Allentown, PA gave the Battalion a 100 pound baby Buffalo mascot [i.e., an American Bison], which was named Pvt. "Allen T. Geronimo" - RA#12345678 and assigned quarters at Company "B". Four (4) years later, when Captain Jimmie D. Morton took command of Company "B" "Allen T. Geronimo had advanced to: 1) Sergeant, 2) a weight of 2000 lbs., and, 3) top running speed of 35 miles per hour. Captain Jimmie Morton had to supervise "Allen T. Geronimo", who reported directly to Captain Morton.
Shortly after 12 Aug 1961 all of Mannheim's Sullivan Barrack's tanks were mobilized and sent via the autobahn to Berlin (i.e., the East Germans built the "Berlin Wall") Also, shortly thereafter, Jimmie, his wife and his two sons were reassigned to quarters in Kentucky). Jimmie served at Fort Knox [Home of the Armor School] from late 1961 until late 1964.
From 1964 until early 1967 he served with the 7th Psychological Operations Group based at Machinato, Okinawa, Islands Of The Ryukyu's [the 7th Psyops Group dropped 60 million leaflets over Vietnam in 1967] along with his family.
His final assignment was with the 28th Artillery Group based at Selfridge Air Force Base, Mt. Clemens, MI from Mar 1967 to Jan 1968 [The Army maintained Nike Hercules and Nike Ajax ground to air missiles on the Air Base which had very low kiloton nuclear war heads, so as an explosion could be created which could entirely destroy a very large enemy bomber aircraft group, but, thereafter, not generate massive "Nuclear Fallout" which would fall back down upon Mt Clemens/Detroit].
During his 90 day leave taken to coincide with his Jan 1968 Retirement Party Maj. Morton became employed by the Bank Of The Commonwealth, Detroit, MI as its Employment Supervisor. In 1970 he transferred into Branch Management and retired from the Bank [Commonwealth was acquired by Comerica Bank circa 1984] in 1992 as a Comerica Bank Branch Officer/Manager & Regional Lender.
In December 2005 "Jimmie D Jr" passed away and joined his great grandfather Alexander Miller Jr of Company "A", 17th Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry, United States Colored Troops [Battle of Franklin & Nashville TN and Battle Of Decatur AL] on the "Knight/Night Shift" protecting the USA.
After completing Basic Training and after he attended Company Clerk Schooling (Personnel/Financial Specialist Course) he was promoted to Corporal and Company Clerk, and, reassigned to the 97th Engineer Regiment (colored) at Camp Blanding, FL from Jun 1941 until Sep 1941. In Oct 1941 he was promoted to S/Sgt and was assigned as the Regimental Message Center's Chief Clerk at Camp Blanding.
In Apr 1942 the 97th Engineer Regiment was transferred to Alaska to help build the Alcan Highway, and, S/Sgt. Jimmie Morton worked there as Regimental Message Center Chief until Nov 1944 (the 1700 mile Alcan Highway Project was completed between Apr 1942 and Nov 1942 at a cost of 135 million dollars, and, contained 200 bridges and 8000 culverts...it was a massive and major accomplishment which was in the same league as the building of the Panama Canal).
97th Engineer Regiment
In late 1944 the members of the 97th were reassigned, and, Jimmie went to Camp Sutton NC, and, shortly thereafter he was assigned to the Pacific Theater Of Operations. Jimmie was assigned to New Guinea. In New Guinea he served with the 29th QM Group as T/Sgt & Chief Clerk. Sometime later in 1944 he was reassigned to the Philippines, and, once again, with the 29th QM Group. In Feb 1945, at the age of 20, he was promoted to Master Sergeant and, also, was appointed the duties of Group Sergeant Major. He served in the Philippines until 3rd Quarter 1945. He mustered out of the Army in early Nov 1945 and worked a short while in Franklin, TN as a Milk Delivery Truck Driver.
He married his high school sweetheart Carey Beal in November 1945 and, in December 1945 he re-enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant & was appointed Sergeant Major with the 450th AAA AW Battalion - Colored at Fort Bliss, El Paso TX, and, continued military service as a Career Soldier.
In Apr 1947 Jimmie left the 450th AAA Battalion and was reassigned to the 370th Armored Infantry Battalion - Colored as Operational NCO. In the year 1948 or, perhaps, a little earlier, his 370th Infantry Battalion was transported to Germany. On August 27, 1948, his wife Carey and his 1st son, i.e., infant Maurice Morton, joined him and lived with him in Kitzengin Germany. Jimmie served in Germany until the year 1949 as part of the WWII German Occupation Forces. He was enrolled at the U. S. Constabulary School - Sandorf, Germany (Personnel Supervisor's Course) from Apr 1949 until Jun 1949, and, later, he served with the 9940th TSU and his assigned duties were his enrollment in the Medical Field Service School. In mid 1949 Jimmie and his family were in Texas and he was at Brooke Army Medical Center - Fort Sam Houston.
In Sep 1949 Jimmie was promoted to Warrant Officer JG (RW0906918) and he immediately made application in regard to the Department Of The Army's request for: "Warrant Officer Volunteers For Assignment To Airborne Divisions And Paratroop Training". Jimmie's application for transfer was approved and Jimmie was reassigned to Co "G", 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Meade, MD until Feb 1952.
14th Infantry Regiment
In Apr 1952 Jimmie was reassigned and transported to Company "M", 3rd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division in Korea. During the Korean War Jimmie was assigned as a Motor (Pool) Officer/Unit Administrator serving 35 miles from the Front Line. Jimmie volunteered to lead an M20 Heavy Weapons Platoon, i.e., 75mm Recoilless Rifle H.E.A.T. Weapons (High Explosive Anti-Tank) at the Front Line. Consequently, on, or about, late August 1952 the 44 troops in the four (4) M20 H.E.A.T. Weapons Squads of his Platoon began engaging in combat operations in the areas in, near, or around Heart Break Ridge, the Punch Bowl, and Pork Chop Hill. On 26 Nov 1952 Jimmie was awarded a "Battlefield Commission" as a 2nd Lt., and, on 2 Mar 1953 he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The Commander of Co. "M" was Captain Charles F. Carter Jr., and, to the best of my knowledge Colonel H. G. Learnard Jr. Commanded the 14th Infantry Regiment at that time.
After Korea 1st Lt. Jimmie D. Morton served as Training Officer for the 101st Airborne Division's 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Ft. Jackson, SC [In the mid 1950s Ft Jackson, SC was HQ and the home of the "Screaming Eagles"].
From 01 Jan 57 until 05 Jan 58 1st Lt Jimmie D. Morton served as a Platoon Leader within Company "B" - 371st Armored Infantry Battalion in Nurenberg Germany, and, later, he served with them in Worms Germany.
From 06 Jan 58 until 01 Sep 61 - 1st Lt, and, later, Captain Jimmie D. Morton served in Mannheim Germany as an Armor Officer to include holding assignments as Liaison Officer, Tank Unit Commander, Asst Adjutant 4th Armor Group, Co "B" Executive Officer, Commander Company "B", Commander HQ Company, and, later Battalion Adjutant for the 510th Heavy Tank Battalion [re-designated 3rd Medium Tank Battalion of the 35th Armor on 01 May 1958].
510th Heavy Tank Battalion
On 20 Oct 1950 the 10th Cavalry Regiment [i.e., one of the original Buffalo Soldiers outfits] was removed from the 2nd Cavalry Division and its Regimental History and Regimental Colors were re-designated to the 510th Heavy Tank Battalion - Colored.
On 17 Nov 1950 the Battalion was activated at Camp Polk, Louisiana. In 3rd Quarter 1952 the Battalion was transported to Germany. On 10 Oct 1952 the 510th Heavy Tank Battalion moved into Sullivan Barracks at Mannheim, Germany. In 1954 the good people of Allentown, PA gave the Battalion a 100 pound baby Buffalo mascot [i.e., an American Bison], which was named Pvt. "Allen T. Geronimo" - RA#12345678 and assigned quarters at Company "B". Four (4) years later, when Captain Jimmie D. Morton took command of Company "B" "Allen T. Geronimo had advanced to: 1) Sergeant, 2) a weight of 2000 lbs., and, 3) top running speed of 35 miles per hour. Captain Jimmie Morton had to supervise "Allen T. Geronimo", who reported directly to Captain Morton.
Shortly after 12 Aug 1961 all of Mannheim's Sullivan Barrack's tanks were mobilized and sent via the autobahn to Berlin (i.e., the East Germans built the "Berlin Wall") Also, shortly thereafter, Jimmie, his wife and his two sons were reassigned to quarters in Kentucky). Jimmie served at Fort Knox [Home of the Armor School] from late 1961 until late 1964.
From 1964 until early 1967 he served with the 7th Psychological Operations Group based at Machinato, Okinawa, Islands Of The Ryukyu's [the 7th Psyops Group dropped 60 million leaflets over Vietnam in 1967] along with his family.
His final assignment was with the 28th Artillery Group based at Selfridge Air Force Base, Mt. Clemens, MI from Mar 1967 to Jan 1968 [The Army maintained Nike Hercules and Nike Ajax ground to air missiles on the Air Base which had very low kiloton nuclear war heads, so as an explosion could be created which could entirely destroy a very large enemy bomber aircraft group, but, thereafter, not generate massive "Nuclear Fallout" which would fall back down upon Mt Clemens/Detroit].
During his 90 day leave taken to coincide with his Jan 1968 Retirement Party Maj. Morton became employed by the Bank Of The Commonwealth, Detroit, MI as its Employment Supervisor. In 1970 he transferred into Branch Management and retired from the Bank [Commonwealth was acquired by Comerica Bank circa 1984] in 1992 as a Comerica Bank Branch Officer/Manager & Regional Lender.
In December 2005 "Jimmie D Jr" passed away and joined his great grandfather Alexander Miller Jr of Company "A", 17th Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry, United States Colored Troops [Battle of Franklin & Nashville TN and Battle Of Decatur AL] on the "Knight/Night Shift" protecting the USA.
At the too young age of 16 James ("Jimmie") D Morton Jr forged his grandmother's name on a Permission Slip, and, enlisted (Basic Training at Ft Bragg, NC - 41st Engineer Regiment-Colored) approximately one year prior to Pearl Harbor being bombed (i.e., he enlisted 29 Jan 1941).
After completing Basic Training and after he attended Company Clerk Schooling (Personnel/Financial Specialist Course) he was promoted to Corporal and Company Clerk, and, reassigned to the 97th Engineer Regiment (colored) at Camp Blanding, FL from Jun 1941 until Sep 1941. In Oct 1941 he was promoted to S/Sgt and was assigned as the Regimental Message Center's Chief Clerk at Camp Blanding.
In Apr 1942 the 97th Engineer Regiment was transferred to Alaska to help build the Alcan Highway, and, S/Sgt. Jimmie Morton worked there as Regimental Message Center Chief until Nov 1944 (the 1700 mile Alcan Highway Project was completed between Apr 1942 and Nov 1942 at a cost of 135 million dollars, and, contained 200 bridges and 8000 culverts...it was a massive and major accomplishment which was in the same league as the building of the Panama Canal).
97th Engineer Regiment
In late 1944 the members of the 97th were reassigned, and, Jimmie went to Camp Sutton NC, and, shortly thereafter he was assigned to the Pacific Theater Of Operations. Jimmie was assigned to New Guinea. In New Guinea he served with the 29th QM Group as T/Sgt & Chief Clerk. Sometime later in 1944 he was reassigned to the Philippines, and, once again, with the 29th QM Group. In Feb 1945, at the age of 20, he was promoted to Master Sergeant and, also, was appointed the duties of Group Sergeant Major. He served in the Philippines until 3rd Quarter 1945. He mustered out of the Army in early Nov 1945 and worked a short while in Franklin, TN as a Milk Delivery Truck Driver.
He married his high school sweetheart Carey Beal in November 1945 and, in December 1945 he re-enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant & was appointed Sergeant Major with the 450th AAA AW Battalion - Colored at Fort Bliss, El Paso TX, and, continued military service as a Career Soldier.
In Apr 1947 Jimmie left the 450th AAA Battalion and was reassigned to the 370th Armored Infantry Battalion - Colored as Operational NCO. In the year 1948 or, perhaps, a little earlier, his 370th Infantry Battalion was transported to Germany. On August 27, 1948, his wife Carey and his 1st son, i.e., infant Maurice Morton, joined him and lived with him in Kitzengin Germany. Jimmie served in Germany until the year 1949 as part of the WWII German Occupation Forces. He was enrolled at the U. S. Constabulary School - Sandorf, Germany (Personnel Supervisor's Course) from Apr 1949 until Jun 1949, and, later, he served with the 9940th TSU and his assigned duties were his enrollment in the Medical Field Service School. In mid 1949 Jimmie and his family were in Texas and he was at Brooke Army Medical Center - Fort Sam Houston.
In Sep 1949 Jimmie was promoted to Warrant Officer JG (RW0906918) and he immediately made application in regard to the Department Of The Army's request for: "Warrant Officer Volunteers For Assignment To Airborne Divisions And Paratroop Training". Jimmie's application for transfer was approved and Jimmie was reassigned to Co "G", 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Meade, MD until Feb 1952.
14th Infantry Regiment
In Apr 1952 Jimmie was reassigned and transported to Company "M", 3rd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division in Korea. During the Korean War Jimmie was assigned as a Motor (Pool) Officer/Unit Administrator serving 35 miles from the Front Line. Jimmie volunteered to lead an M20 Heavy Weapons Platoon, i.e., 75mm Recoilless Rifle H.E.A.T. Weapons (High Explosive Anti-Tank) at the Front Line. Consequently, on, or about, late August 1952 the 44 troops in the four (4) M20 H.E.A.T. Weapons Squads of his Platoon began engaging in combat operations in the areas in, near, or around Heart Break Ridge, the Punch Bowl, and Pork Chop Hill. On 26 Nov 1952 Jimmie was awarded a "Battlefield Commission" as a 2nd Lt., and, on 2 Mar 1953 he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The Commander of Co. "M" was Captain Charles F. Carter Jr., and, to the best of my knowledge Colonel H. G. Learnard Jr. Commanded the 14th Infantry Regiment at that time.
After Korea 1st Lt. Jimmie D. Morton served as Training Officer for the 101st Airborne Division's 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Ft. Jackson, SC [In the mid 1950s Ft Jackson, SC was HQ and the home of the "Screaming Eagles"].
From 01 Jan 57 until 05 Jan 58 1st Lt Jimmie D. Morton served as a Platoon Leader within Company "B" - 371st Armored Infantry Battalion in Nurenberg Germany, and, later, he served with them in Worms Germany.
From 06 Jan 58 until 01 Sep 61 - 1st Lt, and, later, Captain Jimmie D. Morton served in Mannheim Germany as an Armor Officer to include holding assignments as Liaison Officer, Tank Unit Commander, Asst Adjutant 4th Armor Group, Co "B" Executive Officer, Commander Company "B", Commander HQ Company, and, later Battalion Adjutant for the 510th Heavy Tank Battalion [re-designated 3rd Medium Tank Battalion of the 35th Armor on 01 May 1958].
510th Heavy Tank Battalion
On 20 Oct 1950 the 10th Cavalry Regiment [i.e., one of the original Buffalo Soldiers outfits] was removed from the 2nd Cavalry Division and its Regimental History and Regimental Colors were re-designated to the 510th Heavy Tank Battalion - Colored.
On 17 Nov 1950 the Battalion was activated at Camp Polk, Louisiana. In 3rd Quarter 1952 the Battalion was transported to Germany. On 10 Oct 1952 the 510th Heavy Tank Battalion moved into Sullivan Barracks at Mannheim, Germany. In 1954 the good people of Allentown, PA gave the Battalion a 100 pound baby Buffalo mascot [i.e., an American Bison], which was named Pvt. "Allen T. Geronimo" - RA#12345678 and assigned quarters at Company "B". Four (4) years later, when Captain Jimmie D. Morton took command of Company "B" "Allen T. Geronimo had advanced to: 1) Sergeant, 2) a weight of 2000 lbs., and, 3) top running speed of 35 miles per hour. Captain Jimmie Morton had to supervise "Allen T. Geronimo", who reported directly to Captain Morton.
Shortly after 12 Aug 1961 all of Mannheim's Sullivan Barrack's tanks were mobilized and sent via the autobahn to Berlin (i.e., the East Germans built the "Berlin Wall") Also, shortly thereafter, Jimmie, his wife and his two sons were reassigned to quarters in Kentucky). Jimmie served at Fort Knox [Home of the Armor School] from late 1961 until late 1964.
From 1964 until early 1967 he served with the 7th Psychological Operations Group based at Machinato, Okinawa, Islands Of The Ryukyu's [the 7th Psyops Group dropped 60 million leaflets over Vietnam in 1967] along with his family.
His final assignment was with the 28th Artillery Group based at Selfridge Air Force Base, Mt. Clemens, MI from Mar 1967 to Jan 1968 [The Army maintained Nike Hercules and Nike Ajax ground to air missiles on the Air Base which had very low kiloton nuclear war heads, so as an explosion could be created which could entirely destroy a very large enemy bomber aircraft group, but, thereafter, not generate massive "Nuclear Fallout" which would fall back down upon Mt Clemens/Detroit].
During his 90 day leave taken to coincide with his Jan 1968 Retirement Party Maj. Morton became employed by the Bank Of The Commonwealth, Detroit, MI as its Employment Supervisor. In 1970 he transferred into Branch Management and retired from the Bank [Commonwealth was acquired by Comerica Bank circa 1984] in 1992 as a Comerica Bank Branch Officer/Manager & Regional Lender.
In December 2005 "Jimmie D Jr" passed away and joined his great grandfather Alexander Miller Jr of Company "A", 17th Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry, United States Colored Troops [Battle of Franklin & Nashville TN and Battle Of Decatur AL] on the "Knight/Night Shift" protecting the USA.
After completing Basic Training and after he attended Company Clerk Schooling (Personnel/Financial Specialist Course) he was promoted to Corporal and Company Clerk, and, reassigned to the 97th Engineer Regiment (colored) at Camp Blanding, FL from Jun 1941 until Sep 1941. In Oct 1941 he was promoted to S/Sgt and was assigned as the Regimental Message Center's Chief Clerk at Camp Blanding.
In Apr 1942 the 97th Engineer Regiment was transferred to Alaska to help build the Alcan Highway, and, S/Sgt. Jimmie Morton worked there as Regimental Message Center Chief until Nov 1944 (the 1700 mile Alcan Highway Project was completed between Apr 1942 and Nov 1942 at a cost of 135 million dollars, and, contained 200 bridges and 8000 culverts...it was a massive and major accomplishment which was in the same league as the building of the Panama Canal).
97th Engineer Regiment
In late 1944 the members of the 97th were reassigned, and, Jimmie went to Camp Sutton NC, and, shortly thereafter he was assigned to the Pacific Theater Of Operations. Jimmie was assigned to New Guinea. In New Guinea he served with the 29th QM Group as T/Sgt & Chief Clerk. Sometime later in 1944 he was reassigned to the Philippines, and, once again, with the 29th QM Group. In Feb 1945, at the age of 20, he was promoted to Master Sergeant and, also, was appointed the duties of Group Sergeant Major. He served in the Philippines until 3rd Quarter 1945. He mustered out of the Army in early Nov 1945 and worked a short while in Franklin, TN as a Milk Delivery Truck Driver.
He married his high school sweetheart Carey Beal in November 1945 and, in December 1945 he re-enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant & was appointed Sergeant Major with the 450th AAA AW Battalion - Colored at Fort Bliss, El Paso TX, and, continued military service as a Career Soldier.
In Apr 1947 Jimmie left the 450th AAA Battalion and was reassigned to the 370th Armored Infantry Battalion - Colored as Operational NCO. In the year 1948 or, perhaps, a little earlier, his 370th Infantry Battalion was transported to Germany. On August 27, 1948, his wife Carey and his 1st son, i.e., infant Maurice Morton, joined him and lived with him in Kitzengin Germany. Jimmie served in Germany until the year 1949 as part of the WWII German Occupation Forces. He was enrolled at the U. S. Constabulary School - Sandorf, Germany (Personnel Supervisor's Course) from Apr 1949 until Jun 1949, and, later, he served with the 9940th TSU and his assigned duties were his enrollment in the Medical Field Service School. In mid 1949 Jimmie and his family were in Texas and he was at Brooke Army Medical Center - Fort Sam Houston.
In Sep 1949 Jimmie was promoted to Warrant Officer JG (RW0906918) and he immediately made application in regard to the Department Of The Army's request for: "Warrant Officer Volunteers For Assignment To Airborne Divisions And Paratroop Training". Jimmie's application for transfer was approved and Jimmie was reassigned to Co "G", 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Meade, MD until Feb 1952.
14th Infantry Regiment
In Apr 1952 Jimmie was reassigned and transported to Company "M", 3rd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division in Korea. During the Korean War Jimmie was assigned as a Motor (Pool) Officer/Unit Administrator serving 35 miles from the Front Line. Jimmie volunteered to lead an M20 Heavy Weapons Platoon, i.e., 75mm Recoilless Rifle H.E.A.T. Weapons (High Explosive Anti-Tank) at the Front Line. Consequently, on, or about, late August 1952 the 44 troops in the four (4) M20 H.E.A.T. Weapons Squads of his Platoon began engaging in combat operations in the areas in, near, or around Heart Break Ridge, the Punch Bowl, and Pork Chop Hill. On 26 Nov 1952 Jimmie was awarded a "Battlefield Commission" as a 2nd Lt., and, on 2 Mar 1953 he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The Commander of Co. "M" was Captain Charles F. Carter Jr., and, to the best of my knowledge Colonel H. G. Learnard Jr. Commanded the 14th Infantry Regiment at that time.
After Korea 1st Lt. Jimmie D. Morton served as Training Officer for the 101st Airborne Division's 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Ft. Jackson, SC [In the mid 1950s Ft Jackson, SC was HQ and the home of the "Screaming Eagles"].
From 01 Jan 57 until 05 Jan 58 1st Lt Jimmie D. Morton served as a Platoon Leader within Company "B" - 371st Armored Infantry Battalion in Nurenberg Germany, and, later, he served with them in Worms Germany.
From 06 Jan 58 until 01 Sep 61 - 1st Lt, and, later, Captain Jimmie D. Morton served in Mannheim Germany as an Armor Officer to include holding assignments as Liaison Officer, Tank Unit Commander, Asst Adjutant 4th Armor Group, Co "B" Executive Officer, Commander Company "B", Commander HQ Company, and, later Battalion Adjutant for the 510th Heavy Tank Battalion [re-designated 3rd Medium Tank Battalion of the 35th Armor on 01 May 1958].
510th Heavy Tank Battalion
On 20 Oct 1950 the 10th Cavalry Regiment [i.e., one of the original Buffalo Soldiers outfits] was removed from the 2nd Cavalry Division and its Regimental History and Regimental Colors were re-designated to the 510th Heavy Tank Battalion - Colored.
On 17 Nov 1950 the Battalion was activated at Camp Polk, Louisiana. In 3rd Quarter 1952 the Battalion was transported to Germany. On 10 Oct 1952 the 510th Heavy Tank Battalion moved into Sullivan Barracks at Mannheim, Germany. In 1954 the good people of Allentown, PA gave the Battalion a 100 pound baby Buffalo mascot [i.e., an American Bison], which was named Pvt. "Allen T. Geronimo" - RA#12345678 and assigned quarters at Company "B". Four (4) years later, when Captain Jimmie D. Morton took command of Company "B" "Allen T. Geronimo had advanced to: 1) Sergeant, 2) a weight of 2000 lbs., and, 3) top running speed of 35 miles per hour. Captain Jimmie Morton had to supervise "Allen T. Geronimo", who reported directly to Captain Morton.
Shortly after 12 Aug 1961 all of Mannheim's Sullivan Barrack's tanks were mobilized and sent via the autobahn to Berlin (i.e., the East Germans built the "Berlin Wall") Also, shortly thereafter, Jimmie, his wife and his two sons were reassigned to quarters in Kentucky). Jimmie served at Fort Knox [Home of the Armor School] from late 1961 until late 1964.
From 1964 until early 1967 he served with the 7th Psychological Operations Group based at Machinato, Okinawa, Islands Of The Ryukyu's [the 7th Psyops Group dropped 60 million leaflets over Vietnam in 1967] along with his family.
His final assignment was with the 28th Artillery Group based at Selfridge Air Force Base, Mt. Clemens, MI from Mar 1967 to Jan 1968 [The Army maintained Nike Hercules and Nike Ajax ground to air missiles on the Air Base which had very low kiloton nuclear war heads, so as an explosion could be created which could entirely destroy a very large enemy bomber aircraft group, but, thereafter, not generate massive "Nuclear Fallout" which would fall back down upon Mt Clemens/Detroit].
During his 90 day leave taken to coincide with his Jan 1968 Retirement Party Maj. Morton became employed by the Bank Of The Commonwealth, Detroit, MI as its Employment Supervisor. In 1970 he transferred into Branch Management and retired from the Bank [Commonwealth was acquired by Comerica Bank circa 1984] in 1992 as a Comerica Bank Branch Officer/Manager & Regional Lender.
In December 2005 "Jimmie D Jr" passed away and joined his great grandfather Alexander Miller Jr of Company "A", 17th Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry, United States Colored Troops [Battle of Franklin & Nashville TN and Battle Of Decatur AL] on the "Knight/Night Shift" protecting the USA.
Inscription
US ARMY MAJ WORLD WAR II, KOREA, VIETNAM
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
