Born: May 26, 1936, Wick, West Virginia

• 1954-57 Cannoneer, Forward Observer, Battery A, 319th Field Artillery, 82d Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina
• 1958-60 Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Combat Support Company, 2d Battle Group, 6th Infantry, Berlin, Germany
• 1960-61 Artillery Operations and Intelligence Sergeant, 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fulda, Germany
• 1962-63 Heavy Weapons Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Company C, 5th Special Forces Group, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina and Vietnam
• 1964-65 Heavy Weapons Leader, Company B, 5th Special Forces Group, Vietnam
• 1965-66 Heavy Weapons Instructor, Sergeant First Class, Special Forces Training Group, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina
• 1967-69 Heavy Weapons Leader, Company A, 8th Special Forces Group, Panama
• 1969-70 Heavy Weapons Leader, HHC, 5th Special Forces Group, Vietnam
• 1970-73 Operations Sergeant, Company B; Assistant Intelligence Sergeant, First Sergeant, HHC, 8th Special Forces Group; Intelligence Sergeant, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 3d Special Forces Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Panama
• 1973-74 Student, Sergeants Major Academy, Ft. Bliss, Texas
• 1974-76 First Sergeant, Company A, 1st Battalion, 2d Infantry; First Sergeant, HHC, 1st Infantry Division, Ft. Riley, Kansas
• 1976-77 Chief Instructor, Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment, St. John’s University, St. Cloud, Minnsota.
• 1977-79 Command Sergeant Major, 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Infantry, Ft. Stewart, Georgia
• 1979-81 Command Sergeant Major, Special Forces Detachment (Abn), Europe, Bad Toelz, Germany
• 1981-82 Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Ft. Sheridan, Illinois
• 1982-83 Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Forces Command, Ft. McPherson, Georgia
• 1983-87 Sergeant Major of the Army

Significant Accomplishments as SMA

SMA Morrell focused on a number of major initiatives during his tenure as SMA. Chief among them was the continued development of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System that he believed was vital to establishing a solid corps of NCOs. During SMA Morrell's term of office the Primary Leadership Course and the Primary Noncommissioned Officer Course combined to form the Primary Leader Development Course, while the Sergeants Major Academy took over the responsibility for developing the common core training for the NCOES. SMA Morrell also improved soldier quality of life, and gained resources that enhanced NCO educational programs.

Selected Decorations and Awards

Distinguished Service Medal

• Distinguished Service Medal
• Defense Superior Service Medal
• Legion of Merit
• Bronze Star Medal with V Device and 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
• Purple Heart
• Defense Meritorious Service Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
• Air Medal
• Army Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
• Army Achievement Medal
• Good Conduct Medal
• Army of Occupation Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Vietnam Service Medal
• NCO Professional Development Ribbon
• Overseas Service Ribbon
• Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
• Combat Infantryman Badge
• Ranger Tab
• Master Parachutists Badge