Korea vet dies just 3 hours before war medal arrives

From the Hawkeye.com: Korea vet dies just 3 hours before war medal arrives Richard Morrison, 81, of Burlington was only hours away from receiving the Purple Heart medal he had waited so long for when he died at his home Friday night. Morrison was supposed to receive the medal 59 years ago for the injuries he sustained as a prisoner of war in North Korea. He received word of the certification Thursday afternoon with a call from the office of U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin. According to his son, Matt Morrison, and daughter-in-law, Jennifer Morrison, UPS (United Parcel Service) rushed to get the Purple Heart to Richard as soon as possible, since his failing health had put him on his death bed. The medal left Des Moines about 1 p.m. Friday and arrived at Richard's home about 7 p.m., but he had died three hours earlier. Burlington UPS operations manager Mike Smith and his wife, Lisa, delivered the medal personally.

"It was so close," said Richard's oldest daughter, Lucia Moser. "The Prugh's (Funeral Service) van pulled in, and then Mike and Lisa were right behind."

Richard did receive the certificate for the medal the day before he died, however, and his children said he was quite happy about that. Richard also received a Prisoner of War medal, even though he already had one.

Afghanistan war veteran and relative, Cody Brown of Colorado, placed the war medals on Richard's chest after he died. Brown also received the Purple Heart during his service.

"It was great that they (the medals) got here. I would like to thank everybody involved," Jennifer Morrison said.

Richard graduated from Burlington High School in 1948 and served as a corporal in the U.S. Army with the 2nd Engineer Combat Battalion during the Korean War. He was a prisoner of war for two and a half years.

Richard's son, Chuck Morrison, said even though his father was a war hero, he never painted himself that way when telling war stories. Richard was forced to bury his fellow soldiers who didn't survive the North Korean POW camp, but the horrible experience never tarnished his will to succeed and provide a life for his family.

"He did some amazing things," Chuck Morrison said. "He was a blue-collar guy and never tiring. When he got these health issues, it hit us hard. He was Superman. Nothing ever tired him out."

Richard worked as a tool and die maker at Klein Manufacturing for 13 years and then spent 25 years at General Electric, where he retired.

"He was quiet and very analytical," Moser said. "He thought things through before he proceeded. He was very detailed."

Despite his precise eye for details, Moser said her father also was somewhat of a jokester, with a dry sense of humor.

"He was real laid back and quiet," she said.

That's how Matt Morrison remembers him as well.

"He was very humble - very laid back and humble," he said.

A funeral Mass for Richard Oliver Morrison will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul Catholic Church.

Friends may call Tuesday after 8 a.m. at Prugh's Chapel with a Christian wake service at 5 p.m., followed by military rites conducted by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive friends until 8 p.m.

Memorials have been established for Great River Hospice, SS. John & Paul Catholic Church and Des Moines County Historical Society.