Verne V. Morse
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

Verne V. Morse enlisted in the U.S. Army on 27 June 1942 at Harrisburg, PA.

On D-Day, 6 June 1944, First Lieutenant Verne V. Morse was serving as a Platoon Leader in Company D, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, First U.S. Army.

On that day, 1LT Morse’s unit was in action against German forces on Omaha Beach at Normandy, France, to support the western flank of the veteran 1st Infantry Division's 16th Infantry Regiment. During the initial assault upon Omaha Beach, 1LT Morse and his platoon landed in the face of heavy German rifle, machine gun and artillery fire. The intense fire pinned the men down on a narrow beachhead, inflicting numerous casualties and disorganizing the men. As 1LT Morse reorganized and prepared his platoon for attack, on numerous occasions he exposed himself to direct enemy fire. 1LT Morse then led his platoon in a successful assault upon the German positions, including scaling cliffs to take out a German gun emplacement. 1LT Morse’s superior leadership, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

On 6 July 1944, 1LT Morse was wounded in action and spent 3 months in the hospital.

On 5 June 1945, while on occupation duty, 1LT Morse was involved in a critical situation that cost him his life. His death was attributed as DNB (Died - Non Battle).

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal (Merit) with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Purple Heart
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 4 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Duty
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Verne V. Morse (ASN: 0-1292044), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Platoon Leader in an Infantry Company of the 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, at Normandy, France. In the initial assault upon the cost of France, First Lieutenant Morse landed with his platoon in the face of heavy enemy rifle, machine gun and artillery fire. This intense fire pinned the men down on a narrow beachhead, inflicting numerous casualties with resultant disorganization. In the reorganization and preparation of his platoon for attack, First Lieutenant Morse fearlessly and with complete disregard for his own safety, on numerous occasions exposed himself to the direct enemy fire. He then led his platoon in a successful assault upon the enemy positions. The personal bravery and superior leadership demonstrated by First Lieutenant Morse exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 29th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 29 (June 29, 1944)

Burial

First Lieutenant Verne V. Morse is buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands in Plot C, Row 1, Grave 26.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56302073/verne-v-morse