World War II Honoree

Albert O. Morris, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Akron, Ohio

Honored By

Albert J. Morris

Relationship

Son

SERVED AS SEAMAN FIRST CLASS ABOARD THE HEAVY CRUISER USS INDIANAPOLIS CA-35 WHICH HAD ENGAGED THE ENEMY IN MANY CAMPAIGNS IN THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS AND SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ON JULY 30, 1945, JUST MINUTES AFTER CELEBRATING HIS 20TH BIRTHDAY AND FOUR DAYS AFTER THE USS INDIANAPOLIS HAD DELIVERED THE PRIMARY COMPONENTS OF TWO ATOMIC BOMBS TO THE ISLAND OF TINIAN, THE USS INDIANAPOLIS WAS SUNK BY A JAPANESE SUBMARINE, GOING DOWN BETWEEN GUAM AND THE PHILIPPINES, 500 MILES FROM LAND. FOR BEING ONE OF 316 SURVIVORS (FROM A TOTAL CREW OF 1196) WHO ENDURED FIVE DAYS OF HEAT AND COLD AND THIRST AND STARVATION IN THE SHARK-INFESTED WATERS OF THE SOUTHWESTERN PACIFIC, HE WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY.