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Captain <em>Morris R. McBride</em>, Infantry, United States Army, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving an opposing force in the Republic of Vietnam on 3 March 1964. As an advisor to a company in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, Captain McBride demonstrated fortitude, professional skill, and determination by rendering invaluable assistance to Vietnamese elements when they were suddenly subjected to heavy machine-gun fire and mortars by hostile forces. When the initial attack wounded the company commander and several other soldiers. Captain McBride displayed complete disregard for his own personal safety and bravely exposed himself to the intense gunfire while rallying the members of two platoons which had become widely dispersed during the onslaught. Upon assuming command of the leaderless company, and while still under flanking fire, he moved among the members of the company giving them assistance, directions, and encouragement. Then, with sound judgment, professional competence, and steadfast courage, he directed the company’s withdrawal through successive positions, remained with the covering force that was the last to withdraw, and continued his dauntless efforts until he was mortally wounded as he stopped to assist the wounded Vietnamese commander. His intrepid conduct, unselfish actions, and devotion to duty inspired his Vietnamese comrades to pursue their efforts in the defense of their homeland and curtailed activities of the hostile force. Captain McBride’s conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary heroic actions arc in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.</p>
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This citation, accompanying our nation’s second highest decoration, the Distinguished Service Cross, describes the death of a real soldier—Morrie McBride.</p>
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Morrie was bom to Otto and Helen McBride on 8 April 1935 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1941, Morrie’s father was called to active duty, and the McBride family experienced life in the wartime Army as they traveled throughout the United States. At the end of the war, the McBrides returned to the Chicago area where Morrie completed his public schooling at York Community High School, Elmhurst, Illinois. He was a fine student and became a member of the National Honor Society. He also studied music, was a class vice president, played football and baseball, and was active in the Congregational Church Youth Fellowship.</p>
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In May 1952, without his parents’ knowledge, Mnrrie enlisted in the 228th Infantry of the Illinois National Guard at Lombard, Illinois. This enlistment was discovered at an evening inspection when the regimental eommandcr. Colonel McBride, saw his son standing in ranks. Through the National Guard, Morrie began his efforts to get into West Point. Fortunately for the Army, Morrie turned down a Senatorial and a competitive appointment to the Naval Academy. On 3 July 1953, Morrie entered West Point as a member of the Class of 1957 on a competitive appointment.</p>
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Life in Beast Barracks was no problem for Morrie. His sense of humor and his organizational ability combined with his military background to put Morrie ahead of the rest of us. When the regular academic year began Morrie was assigned to Company M-2-a perfect home for him. In the “flanker” atmosphere he found a comradeship and an appreciation of a sense of humor that was just made for Morrie McBride. Even during plebe year it was more common to hear him called Morrie, Monk, or Mac, than Mister McBride.</p>
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As a cadet Morrie displayed that rare blend of native intelligence, athletic ability, and joy of living that made his four years at West Point interesting, enjoyable, and intellectually rewarding. He was the type who consistently did well in class despite the fact that he spent most of his study hours playing the guitar, listening to records, reading, or coaching less-gifted classmates. On the athletic field Morrie was a tiger. He more than made up for his light weight with enthusiasm. Football, lacrosse, and soccer were his favorites. He had never played lacrosse or soccer before coming to West Point, but he led M-2 to championships in both sports. He also managed to find time for various clubs and forums and was a Sunday School teacher.</p>
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On 4 June 1957, immediately after graduation, 2d Lieutenant McBride packed his guitar into his new convertible and left West Point. Beyond the fact that he participated in numerous weddings of classmates, little is known of where he went or what he did for the next two months. He merely traveled, played his guitar, and enjoyed life. In August, his troubadour days ended, Morrie reported to Fort Benning, Georgia, for the Basic Infantry Officers’ Course, the Airborne School, and the Ranger School. It was during this period that he met, wooed, and wed his wife Anne.</p>
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From Fort Benning, Anne and Morrie went to Italy for an assignment with the 52d Armored Infantry Battalion and the 1st Battalion, 77th Artillery, in Vicenza. In March 1959, they were reassigned to the 1st Armored Rifle Battalion, 46th Infantry, in Munich, Germany. Here, Morrie developed a love for free-fall parachuting, or sky diving, and soon gained a reputation as an accomplished jumper even setting several German records. In the 1961 International Air Show he was decorated for his nighttime free-fall jumping.</p>
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Anne and Morrie were back at Fort Benning in 1962 for the Infantry career course. From there Morrie volunteered for Vietnam, spent one month at the Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and arrived in Vietnam in August 1963. For his first assignment Morrie was sent to the Vietnamese Army Ranger School at Due My. It was exactly what he had wanted. He wrote: “I came within a hair of getting stuck with a desk job in Saigon, but a colonel I know let me come out here.” Later, in a January letter: “Wednesday I leave for the combat zone. By pushing, I got them to shift me two months early.”</p>
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Morrie's rapport with the Vietnamese is now legendary. All the Americans who served with him in Vietnam were amazed at how well he could speak Vietnamese; he could even play and sing their folk songs in their own language. It was not surprising that the Vietnamese respected Morrie; they also accepted him as a friend.</p>
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In February, after several combat actions, he wrote: “This is a funny kird of warlike last night we marched 10 kilometers. In the distance we could see flares lighting up the places we knew would be under VC attack. We could hear the artillery and Air Force strafing, yet we were not bothered as we walked through the rice paddies. It’s midnight and all of a sudden this VC sniper opens up on us as we enter a rubber plantation. Later: "In my next letter I will explain how we are losing this different war.” That “next letter” was never written.</p>
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The morning that Morrie’s body was loaded aboard the evacuation aircraft at the Tmng Lap Ranger Training Camp, the Vietnamese paid him a special tribute. They placed a wreath and a bronze plaque at the flag pole and fired a 21-gun salute with live artillery rounds into Viet Cong territory.</p>
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Morrie was buried at Fort Benning on 14 March 1964. On 10 September 1964, Anne received Morrie’s posthumous awards of the Distinguished Service Cross, the Purple Heart, and the Vietnamese Honor Medal First Class.</p>
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Two very fitting monuments have since been dedicated to Morrie. The first is a mannequin dressed in Morrie’s cadet uniform. With it, in a display case in the Sylvanus Thayer Birthplace Museum at Braintree, Massachusetts, is Morrie’s diploma and an appropriate plaque. This display was financed by contributions made to the McBridc-Thayer Trust Fund. The second is a 21-classroom elementary school at Fort Benning. This McBride School was dedicated at formal ceremonies held on 7 January 1966.</p>
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Morrie is survived by his widow Anne and daughters Charmaine and Kirsten; his parents, Colonel (Retired) and Mrs. Otto L. McBride; and his brother, Otto L. McBride II.</p>
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Those of us who knew Morrie feel a genuine sadness at the loss of such a warm friend. The life he lived will serve as a standard for us all. His sense of humor and his respect for others, combined with his devotion to Duty, Honor, Country, produced a rare individual, a true friend, a real man.</p>