The Uniform of
Chief Harry S. Morris

TMC Harry S. Morris, USN (Ret.) enlisted in 1903 at the age of 15. He was part of the Apprentice Boy program and was the only active duty sailor entitled to wear a knot symbol on his uniform.

In 1937 the U.S. Navy classified him as an "old timer" and yet he continued to serve for another 20 years. He was stationed on battleships, cruisers, torpedo destroyers, and submarines. He also served in the "Great White Fleet" from 1907-1908, a US Navy program fostered by then President Teddy Roosevelt. The Great White Fleet was a worldwide round the world cruise performed by 16 US Navy battleships of the Atlantic Fleet. Chief Morris was the founder of the Great White Fleet Association which held annual reunion dinners to commemorate the cruise at the U. S. Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego.

He was awarded medals from nearly every country in the world and made Chief in 1919. During WWII, he was 55 years of age when he was part of a crew to help raise all but two of the vessels lost at Pearl Harbor.

He retired on January 31, 1958 at the age of 70. He had served 55 years in the Navy and spent 41 of those years on sea duty.

 


photo source: Mike Warman, TMC USN (ret) USS Tidewater AD31 10/61-12/65
Uniform of Harry S. Morris, TMC
UNIFORM OF HARRY S. MORRIS, TMC


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