Brent Morel earned a military scholarship established by the parents of Marine Sergeant and Medal of Honor recipient Walter Singleton, who was killed in action in Vietnam. He joined the Marine Reserves and graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1999 with a degree in history. Brent became a commissioned officer in the Marines the next week and one week later was married. After he fell mortally wounded in the action that earned him the Navy Cross, Sergeant Willie Copeland shielded his body with his own. Copeland later said of Captain Morel, “My last memories of him will always be as a Marine who led a team to fight in the direction of the bullets. That was the type of Marine Morel was – he led from the front.” Willie Copeland was himself, also awarded the Navy Cross for his own heroic action in this battle on this same date, and four members of Captain Morel’s company received Silver Stars. It is a record unmatched by any Marine Corps Company, much less by any platoon, in the Global War on Terrorism.
Sponsored by:
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Cemetery:
Awards Received
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Navy Cross
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
1st Reconnaissance BattalionDivision:
1st Marine Division, I MEFAction Date:
April 7, 2004
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Brent Lee Morel, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Platoon Commander, Second Platoon, Company B, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, First Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 7 April 2004. Captain Morel’s platoon escorted a convoy into the Al Anbar Province when 40 to 60 insurgents in well-fortified and concealed positions initiated an ambush. Witnessing a rocket-propelled grenade crippling his lead vehicle and while mortar and machine gun fire erupted, he ordered his remaining two vehicles to secure a flanking position. Captain Morel left his vehicle and led a determined assault across an open field and up a 10-foot berm, in order to maneuver into firing positions. The boldness of this first assault eliminated several insurgents at close range forcing their retreat. Observing his Marines pinned down from enemy fire, Captain Morel left the safety of his position and continued the assault, eliminating the enemy’s attack. During this valiant act, he fell mortally wounded by a withering burst of enemy automatic weapons fire. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Captain Morel reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.