Major Morton’s son Michael contacted us and provided significantly more information about his father’s service than we had been able to glean from public records. He was kind enough to write up the entry for his father with the additional information.
African American, Alaska Highway, H&S Company. Veteran of WW2, Korea and Vietnam. Born: 17 April 1924, Franklin, Williamson County, TN. Died: 15 December 2005 Southfield, Oakland, Michigan. Buried: Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, Nashville, TN. Enlisted: 29 January 1941. James Morton forged his grandmother’s name on a permission form to enlist at the age of 16. He began basic training at Ft. Bragg, NC in the segregated 41st Engineer Regiment.
Education: four years of high school (GED). He completed basic training and passed a Personnel and Financial Specialist Course. He was promoted to Corporal and assigned as a Company Clerk in the 97th Engineer Regiment, a black unit stationed at Camp Blanding, FL. In October of 1941 he received another promotion to SSgt and was assigned as the Regimental Message Center’s Chief Clerk at Camp Blanding
The 97th Engineer Regiment, one of three black units, arrived at Valdez, Alaska on April 29, 1942 to begin construction of the Northern section of the Alaska Highway. Once the project was completed, the 97th Engineers were reassigned to Camp Sutton, NC and shortly thereafter they were reassigned to New Guinea.
After his arrival in New Guinea with the 97th Engineer Regiment he later transferred to the 29th Quartermaster Group (colored) and received his third promotion to the rank of T/Sgt and Chief clerk in The Pacific Theater Of Operation at New Guinea. In Feb of 1945, at the young age of 20, T/Sgt Morton received his fourth promotion to Master Sgt and he was appointed the duties of Group Sergeant Major. Later in the year he was discharged from service in October 1945 and returned to Tennessee, and, became employed as a milk truck driver.
He married Carey Beal, his high school sweetheart, on 10 November 1945. On 14 December 1945 at Camp Polk, LA he re-enlisted in the Regular Army keeping his rank of Master Sgt. He was assigned duty with the segregated 450th AAA AW Battalion at Ft. Bliss, Texas, was appointed the duties of Battalion Sergeant Major, and, continued his service in the military as a high ranking NCO.
In April of 1947, he was transferred to the black 370th Armored Infantry Battalion and the following year this Battalion was shipped out to Germany. His wife and infant son followed him to their new home at Kitzengin, Germany.
His fifth promotion was to the rank of Warrant Officer JG. Warrant Officer (Mr.) Morton, continued to fulfill new roles, promotions and stations after successful completion of advanced schooling and training.
He was the Motor Pool Officer/Unit Administrator during the Korean War serving about 35 miles from the front line. He volunteered to lead a M20 Heavy Weapons Platoon at the front line. He was awarded a “Battlefield Commission” to the rank of 2LT, and, also, he was awarded a bronze star for his performance with his Platoon. From 2LT, he received promotions to 1LT, Capt and finally Major. He also served in Psychological Operations in support of the Vietnam War.
Major Morton was assigned to many varied military leadership positions in many and varied military units. He succeeded with all of his assignments.
In 1968 he retired at the rank of Major. He gained employment at the Bank of the Commonwealth, Detroit, Michigan, served twenty-five (25) years, and, retired from the Bank (i.e., Comerica Bank) as a Branch Manager/Officer and Regional Loan Officer (Comerica acquired Bank Of The Commonwealth). Also, he was a Principal Owner and Chairman Of The Board Of Directors at Ludot Personnel Services (i.e., a professional placement employment agency and executive search firm).