GEORGE F. MORROW, LT, USN

From USNA Virtual Memorial Hall
George Morrow '52

Date of birth: September 18, 1929

Date of death: May 12, 1959

Age: 29

Lucky Bag

From the 1952 Lucky Bag:

1952 Morrow LB.jpg

George Frederick Morrow

Kerrville, Texas

It is a bit unusual to see an Army brat in the Academy, but one who has also been a Marine is really a novelty. George came to Navy Tech via Bainbridge and a Fleet Appointment. He spent most of his recreation time at soccer and wrestling, and also contributed his share to the Class Crest and Ring Committee. By no means a bucket, he nevertheless had rough going in plebe Steam. He earned the nickname "Snapper" during plebe year by becoming champion eater of the twenty-sixth company. George seemed to favor the Marines upon graduation and it wouldn't surprise some of his friends if he saw some more Far East duty.

1952 Morrow LB.jpg

George Frederick Morrow

Kerrville, Texas

It is a bit unusual to see an Army brat in the Academy, but one who has also been a Marine is really a novelty. George came to Navy Tech via Bainbridge and a Fleet Appointment. He spent most of his recreation time at soccer and wrestling, and also contributed his share to the Class Crest and Ring Committee. By no means a bucket, he nevertheless had rough going in plebe Steam. He earned the nickname "Snapper" during plebe year by becoming champion eater of the twenty-sixth company. George seemed to favor the Marines upon graduation and it wouldn't surprise some of his friends if he saw some more Far East duty.

Loss

George was lost on May 12, 1959 when the S2F Tracker he was aboard crashed near Corpus Christi, Texas.

Other Information

From Find A Grave:

CRASH OF NAVY PLANE KILLS 3.

Three Navy men aboard a twin engine S2F Tracker were killed when the plane crashed and burned about 3:15 p.m. yesterday while approaching a runway at Cabaniss Field.

The plane crashed on the farm of MRS. S. A. SIMELK. Two years ago a single-engine plane crashed at almost the same spot.

Dead are:

  • Lt. GEORGE F. MORROW, 29, an instructor in Advanced Training Unit 611.
  • Ensign ERWIN M. NUCKOLS, 23, a student pilot.
  • Naval Cadet GARY R. KEASLING, 22.

NUCKOLS and KEASLING were making familiarization flights. It is not known which man was flying the plane.

MRS. JAMES DODSON, of Rt. 3, said she was driving down Chapman Ranch Road toward town, when she saw the plane flying low over a field. Then a wing dipped, the plane struck and burst into flames.

A Navy enlisted man witnessed the crash. He said the plane appeared to be making a normal approach except that it was too low.

MORROW'S wife, SALLIE, and a son, DIXON, 2, live at 4505 Totten. His parents, Lt. Col. and Mrs. George L. Morrow, live in Kerrville. Corpus Christi Times Texas 1959-05-13

From San Angelo Standard-Times, December 22, 1955 via researcher Kathy Franz:

“Lt. George F. Morrow, USN, received a letter of commendation for outstanding performance of duty from the commanding officer of Air-Anti-Submarine Squadron 27 at Norfolk, Va.

He is the son of Lt. Col. and Mrs. George L. Morrow, U. S. Army, retired, of Kerrville.

A Naval aviator on duty with East Coast Carrier Squadron, Lt. Morrow received the citation after his unit was judged outstanding squadron of its type in the Atlantic Fleet for 1955 and awarded the battle efficiency “E.”

The letter commended him for initiative, leadership and untiring efforts which contributed materially to the exemplary performance of the squadron during the last year.

A graduate of Central High School, St. Joseph, Mo., he is also a graduate of U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. Lt. Morrow received flight training at Naval Air Training Command.”

From researcher Kathy Franz:

George was born in New York State.

His father was George L., mother Mildred, brothers Robert (born in District of Columbia in 1933) and Marshall (born in China in 1937.)

In 1930 his parents lived in Plattsburgh Barracks, Plattsburgh, New York. In 1935, the family lived in China, and in 1940, they lived in Fort Benning, Chattahoochee, Georgia, where his father was an Army Major.

In 1943, his father, now retired, was president of Goslin-Birmingham Company, a machine manufacturer and foundry. His father attended West Point 1902-1906 where some of his classmates were now current Generals including Douglas McArthur and Joseph Stillwell. When he taught mathematics later at West Point, his class included Dwight Eisenhower and George Patton.

In May 1954, George transitioned from training in Pensacola to Corpus Christi.

He is buried in Texas.

Photographs


Class of 1952

George is one of 50 members of the Class of 1952 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

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