Robert E. Col. Morris

Robert Eugene Morris, born February 25, 1923, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was attending the University of Iowa in 1942 when he enlisted in the aviation cadet program and was called to active duty 3 January 1943. He trained with the Class of 44-C graduating and being commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant at Aloe Army Air Field, Victoria, Texas, 12 March 1944.

His initial assignment was to the First Air Force, Fighter Command, via Camp Springs, Maryland with gunnery training at Millville Army Air Field, New Jersey, where the remained as a P-47 gunnery instructor until December 1944. Assigned overseas, he joined the 371st Fighter Group, 405th Fighter Squadron in February 1945 and flew sixty-four combat missions dive-bombing, strafing, escort, armed recce, and fighter sweeps before being retuned to the ZI, via England.

He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in August 1945 and separated from the service in November of that year. In 1948, he returned to active duty at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois and the Communications Officers Course.

In this new field he joined the newly formed United States Air Force Security Service, Brooks AFB, Texas; a tour in Alaska, 1949-50, a special activities assignment near Indian Springs, Nevada, 1952; a North-African experience in Libya, 1953-56; coupled with flying a B-25 and a C-47 in one's spare-time was a real pleasure. In 1956, a return to full-time flying was scheduled at Mather AFB, California, the T-29 navigation trainer was a comfortable aircraft to fly and the Squadron Adjutants desk was included. Instrument Pilot Instructor school was completed and it also had a desk attached; however, Command-Pilot was achieved in 1959.

Duty at Hdqtrs., Air Training Command, Randolph AFB, Texas followed in 1960 as a Missile Operations Staff Officer of Advanced Planning in the DCS/Technical Training. Various projects of Weapon Systems Development and Training were participated in to insure all aspects of training were identified to an appropriate level for successful mission completion. In 1964, a move to overseas in the 498th Tactical Missile Group, Kadena AB, Okinawa, resulted in operational-readiness training and management development with PACAF and other integrated forces of SAC.

The next move was to the 90th Strategic Missile Wing, Cheyenne, Wyoming, as part of the Strategic Air Command. During this period he received the Master Missileman Badge and was selected to Command, 90th Communications/Electronics Squadron in support of missile operations and the Base Communications.

In 1968, 15th Air Force Headquarters requested he take the job of Deputy Director for Communications/Electronics at March AFB, California where served until his retirement in 1970. While at 15th AF Hdqrts, he was the C/E representative on the IG team, was promoted to Colonel USAFR in 1969, and worked on numerous communications/electronics projects associated with command/control, airborne command post, and other telecommunications developments. Subsequently, the 15th AF established a Communications/Electronics Maintenance Award, in his name, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to management and developmental programs associated with the field.

Release from active duty allowed him to pursue an interest in Freemasonry and is a member in good standing with his Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite Bodies - 32ú Knight Commander of the Court of Honor, York Rite Bodies - a Knight in the York Rite College, a Shriner, and a member of the Royal Order of Scotland. In his community, he has served as secretary and vice-president of Water District #10 for twelve 12 years.

He is married to Barbara Ann Flores and they have two 2 children, Kimberly Ann and Craig Jude Morris. A previous marriage to Ruth Dorothy Seelig ended when she succumbed to multiple-myeloma in 1975 and, an earlier union created two 2 daughters, Patricia Ann Cava and Donna Jeanne McKenna.

He's a life-member in the Order of Daedalians, TROA, ROA, DAV, and Eagle Scout Association. Also a member of the P47 Thunderbolt Pilots Association. He is a resident of San Antonio, Texas.