Colonel John "Jack" H. Morris

Colonel John H. Morris, better known as “Jack” was born on December 24, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York to Charlotte and John Morris. He was the oldest of five children: Charles, Peter, Dennis and Charlotte. He graduated from Trinity High School in 1960. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History in June 1964. After graduating from St. Francis College in Brooklyn, he worked for the NYC Social Services Department.

In May, 1965, Colonel Morris joined the Air Force and went through Officer Training School in Montgomery, Alabama and pilot training at Craig Air Force Base. He received his wings in December 1966. His initial flying assignment was with the 21st Tactical Air Support in Viet Nam, where he flew 536 combat missions.

In 1968, Colonel Morris was assigned to 962nd Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron at Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts, as a pilot on the EC-121H aircraft. In 1969 he attended Administrative Management and Executive Support Course, and completed Officer’s Training School in December 1969 at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. In January 1970 he was reassigned to the 964th Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron at McClellan Air Force Base in California, where he was instructor pilot on the EC-121T. In April 1973, he was assigned to Headquarters Aerospace Defense Command as an Airborne Early Warning and Control Operations Staff Officer.

Returning to flight duty in January 1974, Colonel Morris was assigned to the 4600th Operations Squadron at Peterson Air Force Base. In 1975, he then became the Headquarters Squadron Commander for the 46th Aerospace Defense Wing.

In May of 1977, Colonel Morris was reassigned to the 964th Airborne Warning and Control Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. He served in a variety of duties in the wing including E-3 instructor pilot, chief of aircrew training branch, chief of the wing’s Standardization and Evaluation Division, and commander of the 966th Airborne Warning and Control Training Squadron. On October 29, 1977, Jack married the love of his life, Pamela.

In 1980 Colonel Morris was Chief of E-3 Aircrew Training Branch, at Tinker Air Force Base, where he was responsible for the formulation and implementation of all E-3 AWACS ground and flying training for 1500 aircrew members. In 1981 he was Chief of Standardization and Evaluation Division, responsible for all the monitoring and evaluation of all E-3 aircrew ground and flight evaluations. In 1982, he was Commander of the 966th AWAC Squadron, where he was responsible for all ground and flying training for the U.S. E-3 program. He trained aircrews in 11 different crew positions for 450 personnel.

In October 1983, Colonel Morris was assigned to NATO Air Base, in Geilenkirchen, West Germany, as Chief of the NATO Air Borne Warning and Control Systems Operations Divisions and later as Commander of the Flying Squadron One, where he commanded NATO’s first multi-national flying Squadron, and in 1985 he went to Air War College.

In 1986, Colonel Morris was reassigned to 552nd Airborne Warning & Control Wing (AWACS), Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, as Assistant Deputy Commander for Operations, where he was responsible for Supervision of five E-3 flying Squadrons with over 1500 aircrew members.

In 1989, Colonel Morris was assigned as Vice Commander, 513th Airborne Command and Control Wing, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, Suffolk, England.

In July 1991 to August 17, 1992, Colonel Morris was assigned as Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans & Exercises NATO Headquarters BALTAP, Karup, Denmark. He supervised an international staff and Senior U.S. Representative, where he was responsible for command policy and guidance on emergency defense and contingency operations planning for employment of Allied Forces, and Senior U.S. Officer for a community of 70 military personnel and dependents. On August 17, 1992, a retirement ceremony was held at the Headquarters Allied Forces in Karup, Demark.

Colonel Morris was a command pilot with more than 7,000 hours in the O-1E, C-47, EC-121, C-118, T-33, and the E-3 aircraft.

Colonel Morris had numerous Military Decorations and Awards including: Two Defense Distinguished Service Medals, Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with 18 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Viet Nam Gallantry Cross with palm, Viet Nam Campaign Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

Jack was an avid golfer and a member of Lakenheath RAF and Air Force Academy Golf Association. He was also a member of the Hole-in-One Club, September 18, 1985. He loved fishing, whether any fish were caught or not, on the Air Force Academy and mountain lakes.

After serving over 27 years, Colonel Morris retired from the Air Force in September 1, 1992. Jack and, his wife, Pamela have lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for 31 years.

Jack leaves behind his beloved wife, Pamela, of 46 years, his three brothers, Charles, (Rosetta), Peter, (Dorothy). Dennis (Jackie) and sister, Charlotte (Jimmy), nieces, nephews, a great niece and nephew, and many cousins.

A gravesite Military Memorial Service with a Full Honor Guard Ceremony for Colonel John H. Morris will be at Pikes Peak National Cemetery in Colorado Springs, followed by a Celebration of Life. These events will be scheduled in the Spring.

In lieu of flowers the family requests you donate in the memory of Colonel John H. Morris to the Wounded Warriors Project or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.