Monument To Medal of Honor Recipient Morris Planned
By Space Coast Daily // July 18, 2014
to be placed in Cocoa’s Riverfront Park
ABOVE VIDEO: Melvin Morris of Cocoa was recently awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Obama for distinguishing himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Cocoa City Council recently approved a monument to be placed in Cocoa’s Riverfront Park paying tribute to Medal of Honor recipient, Staff Sergeant Melvin Morris.
Civilian Military Community Foundation will raise funds to construct the monument and work with City staff on placement in the park.
Morris was recently awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Obama for distinguishing himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
Morris was in combat operations during the Vietnam War in 1969. He organized his troops to recover a fellow team commander’s body that had been killed near an enemy bunker.
Two men that accompanied Morris on this mission to recover the body were wounded by enemy fire but Morris charged forward into withering enemy fire with only his men’s suppressive fire as cover.
He was wounded three times as he struggled forward, but ultimately succeeded in returning his fallen comrade to a friendly position.
Morris destroyed four bunkers and retrieved his comrade and began the arduous trek back to friendly lines.
The City of Cocoa and Civilian Military Community Foundation will pay tribute to Morris and the integrity, selfless service and patriotism that earned recognition as a Medal of Honor recipient by installing the monument in his honor at Cocoa’s Riverfront Park.
The monument, when constructed and installed, will be placed in the park alongside fellow Medal of Honor recipient, Emory Bennett who received the highest military honor in December of 1951 – the same year he was killed in combat.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 321-433-8685.
