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James
Madison
Morris
POW (WWII)
April 9, 1920

–

April 8, 2008

Born:

Columbus

, 

Ohio

Home:

Columbus

, 

Ohio

Buried: 

Tampa

, 

Florida

Cemetery:

Garden of Memories Cemetery

During World War II, James Morris became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 7.33 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and returned to combat aviation in the Vietnam War. He retired in 1969 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War

    Action Date:

    July 7, 1944 – May 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 28793

    Captain (Air Corps) James Madison Morris (ASN: 0-730573), United States Army Air Forces, was shot down over enemy territory on 7 July 1944, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control at the end of hostilities in May 1945.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    77th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    20th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) James Madison Morris (ASN: 0-730573), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 77th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    77th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    20th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) James Madison Morris (ASN: 0-730573), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 77th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    77th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    20th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) James Madison Morris (ASN: 0-730573), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 77th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    77th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    20th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    February 8, 1944
    Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 25 (April 26, 1944)

    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 Captain (Air Corps) James Madison Morris (ASN: 0-730573), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane in the 77th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action with the enemy, 8 February 1944. On that date Captain Morris was Pilot of a P-38 Fighter airplane on a bomber escort mission to Frankfort, Germany. While on this mission Captain Morris attacked and destroyed an ME-109 fighter. Very shortly thereafter he observed a moving train below him and immediately went down to attack it. As he proceeded homeward, he saw, in the vicinity of Sedan, two FW-190 Fighters taking off from an airdrome. Without thought of the danger of engaging the enemy at low altitude over his own airdrome, Captain Morris unhesitatingly attacked and destroyed one of the fighters and proceeded immediately to attack and destroy another FW-190 which had appeared over the field. With his fuel supply dangerously low, and in an area well defended by light anti-aircraft guns, Captain Morris set course for his base. Soon thereafter he sighted an enemy ME-109 flying above and ahead of him. With full knowledge that with his rapidly dwindling fuel supply any deviation from course would seriously jeopardize his chance for safe return to his base, and unmindful of his unfavorable position, Captain Morris courageously flew into attack and succeeded in seriously damaging the enemy aircraft. By his extraordinary flying skill and intrepidity Captain Morris rendered distinguished and valorous service to our nation.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    77th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    20th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) James Madison Morris (ASN: 0-730573), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 77th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.