Drafted Into War, Now Honored at Home: John Morrison Receives Humboldt Hero Award

Morrison with Captured AK-47 in front of Armored Personnel Carrier .

Press release from VFW Post 2207:

This veteran, born in Glendale, California, was older than most soldiers reporting to Vietnam to serve in the Infantry. He arrived “in country” at the age of 23, and was considered the old man in his regiment; where most soldiers were 17 to 19 years old.

In January of 1968 John Morrison received a letter from Uncle Sam inviting him to come join in the fun of the Vietnam War. This was just before draft boards selected inductees via a lottery, and instead picked draftees’ names at random. He says, “I wasn’t shocked. I figured that if I joined and had actually thought of joining: I’d get sent to Vietnam and serve 3 – 4 years. But as I was being drafted, they would send me to Vietnam and I’d serve at most two years.”

John was inducted into the US Army in March of 1968 and attended basic training at Ft. Ord, California, and advanced infantry training (AIT) at Ft. Lewis Washington.

During his time at Ft. Lewis, he and his fellow soldiers would see planes arrive regularly with wounded from Vietnam. They would see the planes filled with the wounded and realize what they would be soon be facing.

He adds, “I got lucky and didn’t arrive until August 1968 when the worst was over. “ 1968 was a significant year in the Vietnam War. It began with a coordinated attack on South Vietnam by North Vietnamese forces in January, with numerous follow up battles in the following months that claimed the lives of many military and civilians.

He was assigned the military occupation specialty of 11 C (light weapons infantry). He explained that the only difference between that and regular infantry is that they got to carry and fire mortars.

During his time in Vietnam, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry (Mobile Riverine), 9th Infantry Division, serving in the Mekong Delta. Almost the entire time he served on M113 tracked armored personnel carriers (APC) with a 81mm mortar mounted on it.

His unit operated mainly in the Lon An province, some 40 miles south of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City).

John considers himself fortunate to not have been wounded, though a soldier right next to him was wounded by shrapnel during one battle. He says, no purple heart, “the only thing that I came back with was jungle rot, no bullet holes , no shrapnel…”

His battalion went on to be the first unit to enter Cambodia during the Vietnam War, and wound up with numerous casualties; all right after he returned to the US.

He was flown back to Ft. Lewis Washington, where all of the returning troops had to march as a battalion in a parade in downtown Seattle. “Flower children throwing flowers and others things at us. it was a lovely thing.”

For his service in Vietnam, John was promoted to Sergeant (E-5), and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Rifle Sharp Shooter Badge.

He returned to FT. Ord where he was an advanced infantry training instructor, teaching night and day ambush tactics.

After high school, John attended East Los Angeles Junior College where he studied Police Science. But he wasn’t able to pursue that career until returning with an honorable discharge from the US Army .

In San Gabriel his father had a small grocery “a little larger than a 7 – 11 but smaller than a Trader Joes.” John worked with his father during his teen years, and prior to reporting for duty in the Army.

After his leaving the Army, he attended the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Police Academy and became a Deputy Sheriff. He says, “the Sheriff’s Academy was tougher than basic and AIT “. But that career came to an end “after having a cup of coffee” and quickly deciding it was not for him.

A friend of his who was in the electronics field persuaded him to apply to a company that doesn’t exist anymore . But he spent 43 successful years in electronic distribution. He explained “ we would buy OEM parts” (Original Equipment Manufacturer) “and then resell at profit. Transistors were brand new, as were diodes …. “

John sadly mentioned that his wife Gail passed away three years ago. He was fortunate to be able to raise two children with whom he remains very close; Steve and Tamera.

He currently shares his life with “a great woman”, Theresa Emmons. Who came highly recommended, having been his late wife’s best friend.

John says that he is the 1st in his family to serve in the military since his grandfather fought in the Civil War. His grandfather was also Conscripted ‘drafted ‘ for the Confederate Army while living in Arkansas. “Following several battles in the East, he walked off and headed home, and after two to three months joined the Union Army and stayed in after the war. He was a kid when he was conscripted.”

Today, John Morrison reflects on his service with gratitude and without regret. He describes his time in Vietnam as life‑changing—an experience that shaped his character, strengthened his resolve, and deepened his appreciation for the freedoms and values of the nation he served.

His story stands as a testament to courage, duty, and the quiet strength of an American patriot who answered his country’s call and served with honor.