World War II Honoree

Robert L. Morrissey

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Tecumseh, Nebraska

Honored By

Bob Morrissey

Relationship

Son

SERVED AS A SQUADRON COMMANDER FOR ONE OF THE FIRST AIR BATTLES BETWEEN THE AMERICANS AND THE JAPANESE. ALSO SERVED ON HORNE ISLAND IN MARCH OF 1942 WITH THE 49TH GROUP THAT HAD ONLY 9 PLANES AND NO SUPPORT. ON THE SECOND DAY ON THEY RECEIVED WORD THAT A LARGE GROUP OF BOMBERS WERE HEADED TO AUSTRALIA SO THEY SURPRISED THEM AND TURNED THEM AROUND. ALSO SERVED WITH LIEUTENANT HOUSE ON A ATTACK RAID WITH WHEN HE NOTICED A ZERO CLOSING IN ON HIM SO HE DROVE HIS PLANE INTO THE COCKPIT OF THE ZERO AND SAVED LIEUTENANT HOUSE'S LIFE. HE MADE IT BACK TO THE ISLAND WITH A THIRD OF HIS WING. PROMOTED TO A FULL COLONEL AT THE AGE OF 26. HONORS INCLUDE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS, DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, THE AIR MEDAL, THE PURPLE HEART, DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL AND THE LEGION OF MERIT AWARD.