1LT Verne Vosburg Morse was born 24 Oct 1918 in Oil City, Pennsylvania. He was the 4th of 5 children of Wycomo Edward and Ethel Cornelia (Vosburg) Morse. His father worked as a conductor on the Pennsylvania Rail Road for many years. The family lived at 107 Allegheny Avenue in Oil City and 512 Jackson Street in Reynoldsville. Verne was able to graduate from high school. While his father earned $2000 as a conductor in 1939, Verne only earned 1/10th of that or $200 as a grocery clerk in 1939. When he registered for the draft in October 1940, Verne was employed by American Stores Company in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Verne voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army on 27 Jan 1942. It was probably during his initial training or first permanent assignment that he was identified as being "officer material" and sent to officer candidate school. He also had to deal with family tragedy as both of his parents died at separate times in 1943. Sometime after commissioning he was sent to England and on 1 Jun 1944 was assigned to D Company 116th Infantry as part of the "plus up" of officers for the amphibious assault. Whether or not he ever had an opportunity to train for the event is unknown but he performed his duties very well indeed and he was promoted to 1LT and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
MORSE, VERNE V.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Verne V. Morse (0-1292044), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Platoon Leader in an Infantry Company of the 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, at Normandy, France. In the initial assault upon the cost of France, First Lieutenant Morse landed with his platoon in the face of heavy enemy rifle, machine gun and artillery fire. This intense fire pinned the men down on a narrow beachhead, inflicting numerous casualties with resultant disorganization. In the reorganization and preparation of his platoon for attack, First Lieutenant Morse fearlessly and with complete disregard for his own safety, on numerous occasions exposed himself to the direct enemy fire. He then led his platoon in a successful assault upon the enemy positions. The personal bravery and superior leadership demonstrated by First Lieutenant Morse exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 29th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 29 (June 29, 1944)
Home Town: Jefferson County, Pennsylvania.
His heroics did not end and on 1 Jul 1944 he received the Bronze Star. Just 5 days later, on 6 Jul 1944, he was wounded and evacuated to hospital in England where he spent the next 3½ months recuperating. He was returned to D Company on 4 Nov 1944 and in actions in November and December 1944 earned 2 more awards of the Bronze Star. On 18 Jan 1945 he was sent on temporary duty to the replacement depot returning to D Company on 7 Feb 1945. He then continued to serve in D Company as a Platoon Leader until transferred to C Company 116th Infantry to serve as Company Commander effective 12 Mar 1945. The last action C Company saw was on 3 May 1945, at the Elbe River. Some time after that 1LT Morse contracted meningitis and was sent to hospital where he died of the disease on 5 Jun 1945.
Both of Verne's brothers also served in the U.S. Army in Europe during the war.
