World War II Honoree

Joe Morris, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Indian Wells, Arizona

Honored By

Charlotte, Joseph, Jr., Colleen & Elliott

Relationship

Family

NAVAJO CODE TALKER. REPORTED FOR DUTY APRIL 1944 AT PHOENIX, ARIZONA. BOARDED TROOP TRAIN FOR SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. COMPLETED 8 WEEKS BASIC TRAINING AT SAN DIEGO MARINE RECRUIT DEPOT, OBTAINED RIFLE EXPERT MEDAL. UPON GRADUATION, ASSIGNED TO NAVAJO COMMUNICATION SCHOOL AT CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA. AFTER COMPLETION OF SCHOOL, BOARDED TRANSPORT SHIP FOR PACIFIC IN DECEMBER 1944. ASSIGNED TO 22ND MARINE REGIMENT, 6TH MARINE DIVISION. USED NAVAJO LANGUAGE CODE TO TRANSMIT TOP SECRET MESSAGES IN COMBAT. SERVED ON GUADALCANAL, GUAM, OKINAWA, AND TSINGTAO, CHINA. COMBAT RIBBONS FOR ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATRE AND CHINA OCCUPATION. OBTAINED RANK OF CORPORAL PRIOR TO DISCHARGE IN AUGUST 1946. RECEIVED PRESIDENTIAL CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION, CALIFORNIA SENATE CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION, AND CONGRESSIONAL SILVER MEDAL.