Local Purple Heart Recipient Gary Morris to be Honored During National Tribute Event
Lincoln Air Force Veteran Chosen as Delaware’s Representative for the 2026 Purple Heart Patriot Project
(NEWBURGH, NY) – A local Purple Heart recipient has been chosen to be one of the nation’s 2026 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees. U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) Gary Morris will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Delaware’s representative at the multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded. The Purple Heart Patriot Project is a program of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.
Selected from among hundreds of nominees and deserving candidates for their courage and service, both in combat and in their communities, this annual all-expenses paid ‘Honor Flight’-style salute will bring together Purple Heart recipients from across conflicts and generations. The multi-day Patriot Project Mission, scheduled for April 27 – May 1, 2026, will feature visits to historic sites, including the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; a private tour of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor; time at historic Washington’s Headquarters, where the Badge of Military Merit originated in 1782; and the 9/11 Memorial. Other special tribute events are also being planned.
“Gary and his fellow Patriot Project honorees represent the best of the best our country has to offer,” said Jeremy McVey, Chairman of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. “These honorees represent a true cross-section of America and the diversity of our combat wounded through the decades. They answered the nation’s call and then kept on serving. This is our opportunity to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of a grateful nation, especially for our Vietnam veterans, the Patriot Project provides proper homecoming they never received.”
“These Patriot Project missions recognize the sacrifices made by our Purple Heart recipients and honor those who never made it home. They provide an invaluable opportunity for these heroes to bond with other combat wounded to help with healing, understanding and of course, know that this nation will never forget their sacrifice,” said National Purple Heart Honor Mission Executive Director Colonel Russell O. Vernon (Ret). “We received hundreds of nominations from across the country, and we look forward to honoring Gary for his courage and service, both during combat operations and in the years since returning home.”
This year’s Patriot Project honorees include men and women from all branches of military service, who sacrificed for America and then went on to be leaders in their communities and professions.
Asked what his service meant to him, SMSgt Morris said, “When I first joined the Air Force it was a means of employment, but after being wounded it became a refuge from the hatred around the country. After ten years, it became my family and security for my personal family. I watched as the country changed and we got further away from Vietnam, although never forgotten. I became an Air Force Recruiter and spent time convincing young people of benefits of joining. Service, especially in the Air Force, was something I believed in and when it came time to retire, it was something I missed.”
Morris enlisted in the Air Force in March 1964 and served for the next twenty-seven years. As a member of the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron Silver Knights, Morris was stationed at Bien Hoa Air Base in South Vietnam. In May 1967, with under two months until he was scheduled to rotate to the states, Morris was working on a routine checkup of an F-100 Super Saber Fighter where the plane was parked inside of a hanger. At about 2:00am, the Viet Cong began lobbing rockets and mortars at the Air Base. Morris, accustomed to the nightly sounds of Army guns, at first ignored the sounds believing it was routine gunfire. Then, one round hit just outside of the building he was in, and the explosion threw him into one of the metal desks, and then backwards to the floor. Morris suffered shrapnel wounds to both arms because of the blast.
Along with his Purple Heart, SMSgt Morris was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Vietnam Service Medal with two devices, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and more.
Married, Morris is a proud father of two adult children and two grandchildren. Since leaving the military, Gary Morris has continued to serve his community and his fellow veterans. He has spent more than three decades working with specialized public transportation for people with disabilities and the elderly, a job he continues to do today. He is also an active member of two veteran organizations, the American Legion, where he is the Post Commander, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart, where is he is a past Department Commander. He was also appointed by two Delaware Governors to the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs, including serving as Chairman for one term.
The Purple Heart Patriot Project provides an all-expenses paid trip to Purple Heart recipients from across the country to visit the museum dedicated as a tribute to their service and other historic sites connected with the Purple Heart. Located just north of West Point, New York, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is housed near the site where General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit in 1782 during the Revolutionary War. The Badge, a purple cloth cut in the shape of a heart, was the forerunner of today’s Purple Heart medal. These powerful visits provide a unique opportunity for our Purple Heart veterans to connect with other recipients and experience the appreciation of a grateful nation committed to ensuring their courage and sacrifice is remembered for generations to come. Project Missions are supported by individual, foundation, and corporate donations.
In addition to creation of the museum, the National Purple Heart Honor Mission was instrumental in the creation of the Purple Heart Forever stamp, and the organization behind the U.S. Mint’s official Purple Heart Commemorative Coin series, which was issued by the United States Mint in 2022. Today, the organization is developing the National Purple Heart Traveling Tribute and Education Center, which will tour the country bringing the stories of our heroes’ service and sacrifice to communities across the nation.
Those wishing to learn more about the National Purple Heart Honor Mission or donate to sponsor the trip for our Purple Heart heroes should visit www.PurpleHeartMission.org.
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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PURPLE HEART HONOR MISSION
The National Purple Heart Honor Mission is an approved 501(c)3 non-profit organization, whose strategic objective is to pay tribute to our nation’s combat wounded and killed in action through special outreach and educational programming. Through Purple Heart Patriot Project Missions, celebration of National Purple Heart Day and other public events and programs, we engage people of all ages by telling the stories of our nation’s heroes. Learn more and support their efforts at www.PurpleHeartMission.org.