The family of Douglas W. Morrell has invited the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) to attend the Military Honors of their loved one as he makes his final journey.
It will be our honor to do so.
Douglas W. Morrell was born 15 May 1919 in Douglas, Nebraska and entered into Eternal Rest on 02 September 2017.
Doug graduated from high school in Scottsbuff, Nebraska in 1935 and attended Nebraska Wesleyan University at Lincoln for two and a half years. He attended the Art Center in Los Angeles for cinematography and photography.
Doug joined the U.S. Army Air Corps on 03 October 1939 at March Air Force Base as a motion picture and still cameraman and honorably retired as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1974 at Norton Air Force Base.
U.S. Air Force Retired Chief Master Sergeant Douglas W. Morrell, was 98 years old. Doug served in WWII as a U.S. Army Air Corps combat cameraman. He was assigned to bombers in Europe and North Africa. He flew 33 combat mission, his B-24 bomber was shot down over Romania. He evaded capture by walking 25 days and returned to his unit. Two months later in a mission over the oil fields of Ploesti when his bomber was knocked out of formation, he bailed out and was immediately captured by the Germans and placed in a POW camp in Bucharest. He escaped and walked halfway through Bucharest before being stopped by a German army truck. He convinced them he was an Italian pilot trying to return to his unit. The ruse worked till he was outed by an Italian kid who spoke to him in Italian. The Germans returned him to the POW camp where he stayed until August 1944 when the Russians liberated the camp.
Doug left the Air Force in 1947 but re-enlisted in 1952. He documented missile and nuclear tests in the Pacific. When the Vietnam War started he had become a Chief Master Sergeant. In 1968 at the age of fifty he was documenting operations over the Ho Chi Minh trail in Laos when the 0-2 Skymaster's wing was shot off and he and his pilot bailed out. For nine hours on the ground he directed fire on nearby enemy positions before being rescued. His pilot was captured and spent four years in a POW camp in Hanoi.
Many of Doug’s citations/awards include two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star
Doug retired from the Air Force in 1974 but returned as a civilian to Headquarters Air Force Combat Camera where he stayed till he retired in 1994.
Doug has many, many more achievements but he is considered a true "Legend" in Air Force Combat Camera Squadrons.
“They call me The Legend,” he said. “I went from the beginning of the Air Force all the way through World War II. I was in Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Grenada … I’ve been through so many near disasters around the world.”
Doug is survived by his wife Julie, son David, stepdaughter Alexis, stepson Jason and four granddaughters.
For more details on Doug’s military history, Google his name. Very interesting read.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran.
Time Table for Friday 29 September 2017 1100 – Stage at Riverside National Cemetery, (Staging Area #4 for family, north of Staging Area #8 for PGR) 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518
http://goo.gl/maps/v0K0E1130 – Mission Briefing
1145 – KSU to assigned Shelter for Flag line, Service and Military Honors
RC: Ray “T-Bone” Gould
SoCalPGR Ride Captain
951-634-4112
ray@gouldgps.com
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
