29JUN1966: On a patrol with his platoon in the jungles of Vietnam, SSG Charles Morris thought there may be enemy in the area, so he pushed ahead to confirm. During the course of his recon, Morris came within 20m of an enemy machine gun position when it opened fire and wounded him in the chest. Morris quickly returned fired and killed the enemy troops before returning to friendly lines to pass along what he'd seen. Just then, his entire platoon came under heavy fire. Refusing medical aid so that he could help in the defensive efforts, Morris organized his men for what would end up being a deadly 8 hour fight. With so many wounded in the initial engagement, the platoon couldn't leave the area without abandoning many of their own. Instead, they called for reinforcements and did their best to hold on. SSG Morris was instrumental in this effort, and despite an enemy grenade nearly destroying his hand, continued to move among his men offering encouragement, treating the wounded, and delivering deadly fire into the enemy ranks whenever the opportunity arose. Realizing an enemy machine gun team was moving behind his men, SSG Morris assaulted and destroyed the position, despite only being able to use one hand to fire his weapon. For the next few hours, SSG Morris, wounded four times, led his men in the defense of their small, surrounded position until reinforcements arrived and put a stop to the fight. For his brave and valiant leadership, SSG Charles Morris would be awarded the Medal of Honor in 1967. He would stay in the Army until 1981 reading the rank of Sergeant Major and would pass away in 1996.

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