John F. Morgan
| Era | Vietnam War |
|---|---|
| Branch | U.S. Air Force |
| Rank | Captain |
| Military Decorations | Distinguished Flying Cross |
| Wall | J |
| Wall Side | 3 |
| Row | 5 |
| Plaque Number | 3 |
MEDALS-RIBBONS: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal
John flew C-141s worldwide from McGuire AFB before being called to Vietnam in AC-119K Stinger gunships. He flew 180-armed, night reconnaissance combat missions over the Ho Chi Minh Trail and Laos in 1970-71 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. John was Aircraft Commander of a 10-man crew and served as an Instructor Pilot and Tactical Warfare Officer for the 18th S.O.S.
Captain McGillis completed 200 Combat Missions in Vietnam and Laos in 1970/71, serving as Aircraft Commander of the AC-119K Gunship for the 18th SOS in Danang and NKP Thailand. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism and the Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters, as well as various other medals.
Captain McGillis and Captain Morgan flew many successful combat missions together and their bond was stronger than brothers. Their relationship was very special and remained lifelong friends for over 45 years. "We were given a job to do, and we did it well."
God, Country, Family, Honor.
John Frederick Morgan was born in Cleveland, Ohio on Aug. 28, 1945. He was the fifth of six children. He moved to Michigan at a early age and attended grade and high school in Michigan. He graduated from Tri-State University in August,1966, with a B.S. in Civil Engineering; turned 21 years old; and married his high school sweetheart, Eileen Karon, within two weeks of his graduation.
John joined the USAF in April 1967 after qualifying for Flight School in both the Air Force and Navy. He graduated from Flight School after 53 weeks of training and was assigned to C-141 jet transports in the Military Airlift Command at McGuire AFB. New Jersey. He flew C-141s in worldwide applications for approximately 18 months until being assigned to AC-119K Stinger Gunships and South East Asia. He left Eileen and two young daughters, under 2 and 1/2 years old, for Vietnam in October 1970.
The AC-119K Gunships carried six, six barrel Gatling Guns, all fired electronically by the Aircraft Commander. If all guns were "on line", the Stinger Gunship was capable of firing 30,000 rounds of ammunition per minute, including two 20 mm Vulcan Cannons. The Aircraft Commander was responsible for all personnel on board consisting or five (5) enlisted men and five (5) officers. Their primary mission was "Armed Reconnaissance" over the Ho Chi Minh Trail in N. Vietnam and Laos, flying only at night. He flew 180 Combat Missions and was awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross for a special mission against heavily defended supply routes being used by hostile forces. He was successful in damaging and destroying several enemy vehicles while under intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire.
John resumed his civilian career as a Civil Engineer after five years in the USAF and a different perspective on life in October of 1971. John and Eileen were married 51 years until Eileen passed away on April 10, 2018. Their family grew to four wonderful children and nine lovely grandchildren. Currently John resides in Michigan but spends his winters in California where he splits his time between the home on the St. Clair River where his children were raised, and San Diego where two of his daughters and their family reside
Plaque Wall Map
