Newton Bedford Morgan

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on September 4, 2004:

Newton Bedford Morgan, Jr. Born March 26, 1928 - Died November 3, 1997 Newton Bedford "Jack" Morgan, Jr. was born in Cookville, Tennessee on 26 March 1928 and was appointed to West Point from a Congressional District. His West Point classmates recall: "Jack came to West Point via the Merchant Marine, Army, and the University of Tennessee, and he brought with him an easy-going manner that even plebe year was unable to disturb appreciably. Nearly any Sunday afternoon he could be found at the radio club with a microphone in one hand and a screw driver in the other indulging in one of his favorite indoor sports, conversation on the radio." During his cadet days Jack was with the Radio, Spanish, Chess, and Model Railroad Clubs; was a Chapel Usher, and was a Cadet Sergeant his last year. On graduation Jack went in the Signal Corps and after attending the Signal Corps Training Center at Fort Gordon, Georgia reported to the 11th Airborne Division Signal Company where he served from 1951 to 1952 and was awarded the Commendation Medal for distinguished service. Jack's next assignment was with the 40th Division Signal Company in Korea in 1953; then he was appointed Company Commander of the Signal Company with the 24th Division also in Korea where he served from 1954 to 1955 and was awarded a second Commendation Medal for distinguished service. On return to stateside Jack was assigned as Assistant Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Georgia Tech and he served as such from 1955 to 1959. Jack's next assignment was to Headquarters, 516th Signal Group where he served until 1960 and was awarded a third Commendation Medal for distinguished service. From 1961 to 1962 Jack served at Headquarters, United States Army, Europe and was awarded a fourth Commendation Medal for distinguished service. Next Jack was named Office Chief, Communications and Electronics, Department of the Army and served as such from 1963 to 1965 and was awarded a fifth Commendation Medal for distinguished service In 1965 Jack attended the CGSC, Fort Leavenworth, KS, and on completion went to the University where he earned an MBA degree in 1967 and on completion was appointed Battalion Commander of the Signal Battalion at Nha Trang and was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. From 1968 to 1969 Jack served at the Office of Personnel Operations, Department of the Army and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation. In 1970 Jack attended the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA, and on completion was assigned to Headquarters, Special Forces Group Detachment Command Agency; served until 1972 and was awarded a second Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. From 1973 to 1974 Jack served with the 7th Signal Brigade in Germany and was awarded a second Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation. Next Jack was appointed Group Commanding Officer of the 160 Signal Group in Germany; served from 1975 to 1977 and was awarded a third Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation. Jack's last military assignment was as Office Chief of Communications and Electronics, Department of the Army where he served as such from 1977 to 1981 and was awarded a third Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. Jack retired from the United States Army as a Colonel in 1981. Jack and his wife Lea made their home Concord, California where he died on 6 November 1997. jac; 18225, wc 549 (9/14/2000)

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