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🇺🇲WWII uncovered: First Sergeant John R. Morton: 6th Armored Division Honored with the Distinguished Service Cross

 🇺🇲WWII uncovered: First Sergeant John R. Morton: 6th Armored Division Honored with the Distinguished Service Cross.



First Sergeant John R. Morton of Boonville, Missouri, was a highly decorated veteran. He joined the U.S. Army on Nov. 1, 1940, and trained for the armored artillery. His unit entered Europe through the beaches at Normandy shortly after D-Day.


In the course of his military career, John would earn the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and the Silver Star. Ultimately, Sgt. Morton was honored with the Distinguished Service Cross by Gen. George Patton for actions in battle at Pontorson, France, when his unit was caught in a German ambush on August 1, 1944. After using up his own ammunition, John retrieved a Thompson and continued attacking, accounting for 26 enemy losses.  During this battle a bullet passed through his helmet as pictured below.


On another occasion, Sergeant Morton shot down an enemy fighter with an M-1 Garand, as he was a master marksman.  He left the service as a disabled veteran after five years. He was hospitalized at Fort Collins in Colorado with back and neck wounds at the time of his discharge. 


⭐First Sergeant John R. Morton's Distinguished Service Cross Citation:


The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Sergeant John R. Morton (ASN: 20746654), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 231st Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 6th Armored Division, in action against an armed enemy in the vicinity of Pontroson, France, on 1 August 1944. After his half-track was hit by an 88-mm. shell, Sergeant Morton abandoned the vehicle and started to aid the wounded personnel. While so doing, a bullet passed through his helmet, and, looking up, he saw enemy soldiers charging with bayonets. He fired on them with his carbine until it was empty and then took a sub-machine gun and advanced while firing. In the action he accounted for 26 enemy losses and greatly contributed to neutralizing the enemy ambush. His gallantry and aggressiveness reflects the highest great upon himself is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.


After the war Morton returned to Missouri and got married. He and his wife later relocated to Kodiak, Alaska. Sadly he passed on August 14th, 1996 at the age of 77. A funeral service was held at the American Legion Hall in Kodiak. Burial with full military honors, a 21-gun salute and a fly-by of local pilots, took place at the Kodiak City Cemetery.


#ww2uncovered #honorourveterans #worldwar2 #worldwarII #worldwartwo #ww2veteran #ww2history #wwiihistory #WWIIveteran #greatestgeneration #WWII  #6tharmoreddivision #ww2 #lestweforget  


WWII uncovered ©️ original description and photo sourced from US Signal Corps Archive and The 6th Armored Division website.

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