Photographic History of the United States Navy
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NavSource Naval History Photographic History of the United States Navy |
DESTROYER ARCHIVE |
152 of her crew were lost with the ship and remain on duty.
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Size | Image Description | Contributed By |
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70k | John Gordon Morrison, born in Ireland 13 July 1838, came to the United States in 1855. Enlisting in the U.S. Army at Lansingburg, N.Y., 24 April 1861, he volunteered for service on gunboat Carondelet 15 February 1862. He was appointed coxswain and later received the Medal of Honor for exceptional bravery during an engagement 15 July 1862 with Confederate ram Arkansas in the Yazoo River. He was an inspiring example to the crew during Carondelet’s unsuccessful attempt to halt the ironclad ram’s progress through the Union blockade to the Mississippi River. Discharged 31 March 1863, Coxswain Morrison died at New York City 9 June 1897. | Bill Gonyo | |
| THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to the UNITED STATES SHIP MORRISON for service as set forth in the following CITATION: "For extremely meritorious service during Salvage Operations after the U.S.S. PRINCETON had been critically damaged by enemy Japanese action in the Battle off Samar, October 24, 1944. Undeterred by foul weather, fires raging on the flight and hanger decks of the stricken carrier and a series of violent internal explosions, the U.S.S. MORRISON gallantly went alongside. Becoming wedged between the stacks of the PRINCETON as the wind steadily rose and rain reduced visibility, the MORRISON rode in irons for almost an hour and, with heavy debris falling on her decks and communications handled by word of mouth, efficiently rigged hoses and aided fire fighting parties, standing by the carrier until fires were under control. Later, when a terrific explosion blew off the major portion of the PRINCETON's stern she immediately dispatched boats to assist in the rescue of survivors and recovered almost 400 men from the sea. Her high standards of loyalty and service as evidenced by the self-sacrificing devoted duty of her officers and men reflect the highest credit upon the MORRISON and the United States Naval Service." All personnel attached to and serving on board the U.S.S. MORRISON on October 24, 1944, are authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon. James Forrestal Secretary of the Navy | ||||
| THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to the UNITED STATES SHIP MORRISON for service as set forth in the following CITATION: "For outstanding heroism in action as a Fighter Direction Ship on Radar Picket duty at Okinawa, May 4, 1945. Promptly opening fire on a group of more than forty Japanese planes which penetrated our aircraft screen to attack the ships of the radar picket station, the U.S.S. MORRISON skillfully fought off the determined attackers for over an hour and, with her own gunfire, shot down five aircraft before they could complete suicide dives. Maintaining a steady barrage against the overwhelming force, she gallantly continued in action despite severe damage from four suicide planes which struck her in rapid successions, fighting resolutely until she went down shortly after the last hit. Her sturdy and valiant service under a prolonged suicide bombing attack contributed to the effective defense of our ships and reflects the highest credit upon the MORRISON, her courageous officers and men and the United States Naval Service" All personnel attached to and serving on board the U.S.S. MORRISON on May 4, 1945 are authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon. James Forrestal Secretary of the Navy | ||||
| 82k | Artist's conception of the Morrison as she appeared after original construction by the renowned graphic illustrator John Barrett with the text written by naval author and historian Robert F. Sumrall. Their company Navy Yard Associates offers prints of most destroyers, destroyer escorts, submarines and aircraft carriers in various configurations during the ship's lifetime. The prints can be customized with ship's patches, your photograph, your bio, etc. If you decide to purchase artwork from them please indicate that you heard about their work from NavSource. | Navy Yard Associates | |
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100k | Off Point No Point, Washington, 24 February 1944. She was performing RDF calibration as part of her post-shakedown trials. The ship is painted in Camouflage Measure 32/13d. National Archives photo 80-G-455511 | Mike Green | |
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110k | As viewed from Gambier Bay (CVE 73), 24 July 1944. On this date Morrison was operating as a A/S screening unit of TU 52.14.1, operating east of Saipan. The ship is painted in camouflage Measure 32, Design 13d. National Archives photo | Steve Harder | |
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35k | Undergoing battle damage repairs and overhaul at U.S. Naval Drydocks, Hunters Point, 01 February 1945. | Pieter Bakels | |
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61k | Undergoing battle damage repairs and overhaul at U.S. Naval Drydocks, Hunters Point, 01 February 1945. | Pieter Bakels | |
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151k | Undergoing battle damage repairs and overhaul at U.S. Naval Drydocks, Hunters Point, 01 February 1945. | Ed Zajkowski | |
CDR Walter Harold Price Dec 18 1943 - Oct 1944 (Later RADM) CDR James Richard Hansen Oct 1944 - May 4 1945
The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.
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This page was created by Fred Willishaw (ex ARG-4, AS-11 & DD-692) and is maintained by David L. Wright
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