Commander Henry Morris

Commander Morris was born in McCamey, Texas in 1930. He graduated from the University of Southern California and was commissioned an ensign in June 1952. He was ordered to duty aboard USS BADOENG STRAIT (CVE 116) ultimately becoming the escort carrier's First Lieutenant. In April 1955 he was ordered to the destroyer USS WATTS (DD567) as Gunnery Officer. He served on WATTS until June 1957, when he reported to the staff of the U.S. Fleet Sonar School, San Diego, California.

In July 1959, he received orders as Executive Officer on the radar picket destroyer escort USS FINCH (DER 328). While on FINCH he made one cruise as Commanding Officer. In August 1961, Lieutenant Morris was assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, D.C. as Assistant Head, Military Programs Section for the Officer Candidate Education and Training Branch, with principal duties in planning and administration of Naval Academy and NROTC midshipmen summer training activities afloat and ashore.

CDR Morris and LtCDR Wayne Case, his second XO.

After commanding USS MILLS (DER 383) from November 1964 to October 1966, CDR Morris served as Head, Surface Ordnance Section, Material Division, Officer of the Chief of Naval Operations, before reporting aboard DEHAVEN.

His decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, China Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Antarctic Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Commander Morris assumed command of DEHAVEN on 15 January 1970. He is married to the former Mary Margaret Baum of Pomona, California. They presently reside with their five children Deborah, Clay, Mark, Patricia and Melissa at Huntington Beach, California.