George Stephen Morrison
George Stephen Morrison | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname(s) | Steve |
| Born | January 7, 1919 Rome, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | November 17, 2008 (aged 89) Coronado, California, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1941–1975 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands | Naval Forces Marianas USS Bon Homme Richard |
| Battles / wars | World War II
Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 3, including Jim |
George Stephen Morrison (January 7, 1919 – November 17, 2008) was a United States Navy rear admiral (upper half) and naval aviator. Morrison held significant commands of United States naval forces during the Vietnam War. He was the father of Jim Morrison, the lead singer of the Doors.
Early life and education
[change | change source]Born January 7, 1919, in Rome, Georgia, Morrison was the son of Caroline (née Hoover; 1891–1984) and Paul Raymund Morrison (1886–1971), and raised in Leesburg, Florida. The Morrison family descended from Scottish settlers who emigrated to America in the late 18th century. Accordingly, Morrison said that his family was originally from the Outer Hebrides, and claimed direct descent from Robert the Bruce. The family had also Irish ancestry, with roots tracing back to County Cork.
Morrison entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1938, graduated in 1941, and was commissioned an ensign. Sent to Hawaii, he joined the crew of the destroyer retrieved April 8, 2008. On December 7, 1941, Morrison witnessed the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.