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William M. Morrow

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William M. Morrow
Morrow as commander of the 15th Infantry regiment, circa 1920
Born(1866-09-06)September 6, 1866
Niles, Michigan, U.S.
DiedJuly 21, 1944(1944-07-21) (aged 77)
Quebec City, Canada
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1888-1930
RankBrigadier General
UnitInfantry Branch
Commands15th Infantry Regiment
5th Division
United States Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth
Discharge and Replacement Depot, Brooklyn Army Base
Battles / warsSpanish–American War
Philippine–American War
World War I
AwardsDistinguished Service Cross
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Honor (Chevalier) (France)
Alma materUniversity of Michigan
Spouse(s)Elizabeth S. "Bessie" Morrow (m. 1915-1944, his death)

William M. Morrow (September 6, 1866 – July 21, 1944) was an American football player and soldier. He played college football at the University of Michigan in 1885 and 1886 and was the starting quarterback for the 1886 Michigan Wolverines football team. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1888 and served for more than 40 years until his retirement in 1930. He was decorated for his service in World War I and achieved the rank of brigadier general.

Early years

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Closeup of Morrow in 1885, taken from University of Michigan football team's group photo

Morrow was born in 1866 in Niles, Michigan. He attended the University of Michigan. He was a forward on the 1885 Michigan Wolverines football team,[1] and the quarterback of the undefeated 1886 team.[2]

Military career

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Morrow enlisted in the United States Army in 1888. He served as a private, corporal and sergeant in Company F, 17th Infantry, from December 1888 to August 1891. He became a second lieutenant in the 21st Infantry in 1891 and graduated from the Infantry and Cavalry School in 1897. He was promoted to first lieutenant in April 1898.[3] He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1901.[4] In 1906, Morrow gained acclaim for leading the 21st Infantry in attacks against rebel forces on the island of Samar in the Philippines.[5] In October 1912, he was assigned to the Fifth Infantry Regiment and was promoted to the rank of major in March 1913.[3]

During World War I, he served with the 7th Infantry, 3rd Division, in France. For his leadership at Claire Chêne Woods in October 1917, he received the Distinguished Service Cross. The citation recognized Morrow "for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Commanding Officer, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, A.E.F., in the Claires-Chenes Woods, north of Montfaucon, France, October 20–21, 1918. On October 20, 1918, when the Claire Chenes had been taken by the troops of his command and a hostile counterattack had forced them back over the ground gained in the morning's fighting, Colonel Morrow at once took personal command of the battalion engaged in the operations, reorganized it, and with distinguished gallantry and inspiring example led his men to a victorious counterattack, drove the enemy from the woods, secured its possession, and consolidated it. On October 21 he again displayed the same qualities of leadership and personal gallantry in the successful assault on Hill No. 299."[6][7][8] He was also awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal "for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. Colonel Morrow served with conspicuous success as Commanding Officer of the 7th Infantry, 3d Division, succeeding in all of the difficult missions assigned to him. His sound judgment and untiring energy proved important factors in the successful operations of his division against the enemy."[7] He also received the French Légion d´honneur by Presidential Decree on May 14, 1919, and French Croix de Guerre with palm in April 1919.[9]

After the war, Morrow was placed in command of the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas. He was later placed in charge of the Discharge and Replacement Depot at the Brooklyn Army Base prior to his retirement in 1930. He retired with the rank of colonel, but he was promoted on the retired list by Act of Congress to the rank of brigadier general.[6]

Death

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In July 1944, Morrow died in Quebec City, Canada.[6][10] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[6] Morrow was survived by his wife, Bessie (1876–1971), whom he married in 1915 after her divorce from Evan M. Johnson.[6][11][12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "1885 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved November 25, 2010.
  2. ^ "1886 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved November 25, 2010.
  3. ^ a b Official Army Register for 1915. Government Printing Office. 1915. p. 340.
  4. ^ "NOMINATIONS CONFIRMED; All Those Before the Senate Favorably Acted On". The New York Times. March 10, 1901.
  5. ^ "FIGHTING ON ISLAND OF SAMAR: Eight of Tiducduo's Band Killed in Hand-to-Hand Engagement". New York Tribune. April 20, 1906.
  6. ^ a b c d e "William M. Morrow: Brigadier General, United States Army". Arlington National Cemetery.
  7. ^ a b "William M. Morrow". Military Times.
  8. ^ "Officer Who Led Raids on Enemy Wins War Cross". New York Tribune. November 3, 1918.
  9. ^ Michigan in the World War: Military and Naval Honors of Michigan Men and Women, Volume 1. Michigan Historical Commission, by authority the Michigan War Preparedness Board. 1924. p. 181.
  10. ^ "BRIG. GEN. WM. MORROW; Retired Army Officer Had Won Honors in First World War". The New York Times. July 1944.
  11. ^ "Michigan Divorce Records, 1897-1952, Entry for Evan M. Johnson and Bessie Johnson". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC. March 18, 1915. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  12. ^ "Married: Morrow-Johnson". Army and Navy Journal. New York, NY. July 10, 1915. p. 51 – via Google Books.
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