Team Fairchild honors Lt. John "Red" Morgan during dedication ceremony

by Staff Sgt. Veronica Montes
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

6/10/2014 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash.  -- Members of the Fairchild family gathered June 6 to formally dedicate the base's newest center to 2nd Lt. John "Red" Morgan, the 92nd Bombardment Group's only Medal of Honor recipient, and to unveil a portrait of the lieutenant to his family.

As a member of the 92nd Bombardment Group, Morgan was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on a bombing mission over Nazi Germany in 1943 while he was a copilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress.

During the mission in 1943, Morgan's pilot received a fatal head wound during a German fighter attack. Morgan pulled the airplane back into formation, and then continued to fly the bombing mission for two hours getting his crew home safely.

Col. Brian Newberry, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, welcomed the crowd to the ceremony and spoke of Morgan's heroism.

"Distinguished family and friends of Red Morgan, our 92nd veterans, and leaders and Airman of our 92nd ARW, welcome to an amazing event, the dedication of this building in honor of our 92nd charter Airman, a patriot and a hero," said the colonel.

Newberry said he chose June 6 because it was the 70th anniversary of D-Day, the day in 1944 when more than 160,000 allied troops landed on the French beaches of Normandy to fight Nazi Germany. He said D-Day is emblematic of the strength of the greatest generation.

Morgan's family and friends in attendance were pleased to be part of such an event.

"Not only did I come here to honor my dad, but also to honor the members of Fairchild," said Sam Morgan, Morgan's son. Sam was one of the seven family members who made the trip to witness the dedication. "My dad was one of the strongest men I've ever met. I've only seen him cry three times in my life, and I guarantee this would've been the fourth. To have his home, the 92nd Bombardment Group, honor him would have been the biggest honor he could've ever had."

Sally Thomas, Morgan's niece, said their family was moved to be there with Team Fairchild to share the event. The family gathered to unveil the portrait of the lieutenant and shared comical stories of his youth.

"He was larger than life," said Thomas, referring to her uncle. "It's perfect to have an event center named after him because he was full of life. He was honest, outspoken, and just a wonderful man overall."

The Red Morgan center opened March 15 and is used for various events like award ceremonies, promotion parties, recognition ceremonies and heritage festivals.