PVT Fred Lee Morton

courtesy of T. McManaway

PVT Fred Lee Morton born 3 May 1924 in Oakboro, North Carolina. He wa sthe 3rd of 5 children born to Henry E. and Bertha Mae (Smith) Morton. His father worked for other farmers.

Fred was single and working for other farmers as well when he was drafted in September 1943. Sometime after that, perhaps after his basic training but before he was sent to the European theater, he married Constance "Connie" Williams of Marshville, North Carolina. PVT Morton was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry on 26 Oct 1944. He fought with that unit for almost a month before he was killed in action on 25 Nov 1944.

PVT Morton was repatriated and re-interred in the Smith Grove Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Oakboro, North Carolina.

Son, Fred Lee Morton Jr., was born in March 1945. Brother, Jason Crowel Morton, was in training at Camp Blanding when Fred was killed.