World War II Honoree

Berle 'Barney' Morgan

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Farmer City, Illinois

Honored By

John W. Overton

Relationship

Friend

IN HIS OCCUPATION OF GUNNER’S MATE, HE WAS A SPECIALIST WITH THE 5.38 INCH GUN. MADE 13 ROUND TRIPS ACROSS THE ATLANTIC AND 6 ACROSS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL. A RUDDER MALFUNCTION CAUSED HIS TANKER TO COLLIDE WITH ANOTHER TANKER IN A CONVOY ON THE ATLANTIC. FIRE BROKE OUT IN BOTH SHIPS. DISOBEYING THE CAPTAIN’S ORDER TO GO OVERBOARD, BARNEY AND 30 SAILORS AND MARINES WHO STAYED ON BOARD WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE AND SAVE THEIR SHIP.