William Ace Billy Morton

The database page for William Ace Billy Morton

26 Apr 2005 William Ace "Billy" Morton was born and raised in Sweetwater, Texas. He was a 1965 graduate of Sweetwater High School, entered the Army in 1967, and started his tour in Vietnam on October 4, 1969. He was killed in Cambodia when the U. S. Military penetrated the enemy sanctuaries in Cambodia in May-June 1970. He was shot to death on June 5, 1970. He was highly decorated for his service in Vietnam, receiving a posthumous award of the Silver Star along with his second Purple Heart. He is remembered by his community and by the Permian Basin Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Midland, Texas. 09 Nov 2005 Billy was actually a 1964 graduate of Sweetwater High School. He played trombone in the high school band. He was very devoted to his family and his friends, always sending gifts. He served two tours in Vietnam, both with the 25th Division. In the first tour he was seriously wounded and medevaced to the states. He rehabed at Fort Ord and Fort Sam Houston. He volunteered for a second tour in Vietnam and perished. From a PBVVM Representative, Billy M. Brown 4015 Melody Lane, Odessa, Texas 79762 bmbrown@grandecom.net SON KILLED IN CAMBODIA Decorations Are Presented Posthumously to Mortons By Joe Gordon, Editor, Sweetwater Reporter In a ceremony held recently at the Armed Forces Entrance and Examination Station in Abilene, Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Morton of 710 E. Arkansas, accepted nine awards and 15 decorations posthumously for their late son, Army Sgt. William A.B. Morton, who was killed in action on June 15 in Cambodia. This was a record number of decorations to be given in this area. The third highest American decoration for valor, the Silver Star, was awarded posthumously for Sgt. Morton's action in Cambodia last June when he went to the aid of a fallen comrade while under enemy fire. The action cost Sgt. Morton his life. Following his death his body was brought back to Sweetwater where he was buried with full military honors in the Sweetwater Cemetery on June 17. At the time of his death, Sgt. Morton was stationed with Co A. 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Division (sic) in Cambodia. The awards and ribbons were presented to the parents in ceremonies by Capt. Peter Wyro, Army instructor at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. Among the awards and decorations were Sgt. Morton's second Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, his third Bronze Star, with two Oak Leaf clusters and a "V" (two of three being for heroism), the Good Conduct Medal and the Sharpshooter badge with rifle and automatic rifle bars. At the age of 23, Sgt. Morton was killed in action and his name was inscribed later on the monument to war heroes on the Nolan County Courthouse Square. He had entered the Army on June 4, 1968 and took his basic training at Fort Bliss in El Paso and then left for his first tour of duty in Vietnam on November 17, 1968. He stayed there until March 1, 1969 when he took a convalescent leave at Fort Ord, California and Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. He returned to the Vietnam battlefield on October 1, 1969 for his second tour of duty. Sgt. Morton, a 1964 Sweetwater High School graduate, has a brother in the U.S. Navy. Copyright Sweetwater Reporter December 16, 1970

30 Dec 2005 A hero who is still in our hearts and minds. William Morton wulliemorton@aol.com

A Note from The Virtual Wall Alpha 2/12 lost two men that day: Sergeant Morton and CPL David A. Meirose of Bloomfield, Nebraska.

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 08/10/2009