George W Morrell

Military
Lieutenant George W Morrell of the 414th Night Fighter Squadron at Elmas Airfield in Sardinia, Italy. media-41541.jpeg UPL 41541 Lieutenant George W Morrell of the 414th Night Fighter Squadron at Elmas Airfield in Sardinia, Italy. IWM collections

Image provided by George W Morrell from the object file for UNI 1385, Morrell's A-2 flying jacket

Object Number - UPL 41541 - Lieutenant George W Morrell of the 414th Night Fighter Squadron at Elmas Airfield in Sardinia, Italy.

George Morrell completed 86 missions during the Second World War.



2nd. Lieutenent Morrell served in the 414th Night Fighter Squadron(the first American Night Fighter Squadron formed in The Second World War) and was based in England from May 1943 until September of 1944. Attached to the RAF, the 414th NFS converted to British Beaufighter aircraft where they trained at Cranfield and Honiley. Following completion of this training he saw active service in the Mediterranean theatre in North Africa, Sardinia, Corsica, Italy and France.



Morrell was decorated for his services with the Air Medal, with four subsequent award clusters, and the Distinguished Unit Citation. (The D. U.C. was awarded for the 414th NFS’s success in denying the Luftwaffe a direct support route from it’s airfields to the Anzio Beachead during the night of 23/24 January, 1944, which therefore enabled the Allies a landing without disruption from the air.



Morrell went on to serve in the US Air Force Reserve, attaining the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

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Units served with

People

Radar Observer Lieutenant Joseph Cotton and Second Lieutenant George W Morell, of the 414th Night Fighter Squadron with their Beaufighter nicknamed "Pistol Packin' Mama" in Sardinia, Italy.

Joseph Cotton

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 414th Night Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Radar Observer
Lieutenant George W Morrell and Captain Edgar James of the 414th Night Fighter Squadron at Honiley, England

Edgar James

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 414th Night Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain

Revisions

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Sources

IWM object file UNI 13857, Leather jacket worn by George Morrell

George W Morrell: Gallery (4 items)

A-2 Leather Flying Jacket worn by 2nd Lieutenant George W Morrell of the 414th Night Fighter Squadron. A zipper fronted single-breasted jacket of brown leather with stand & fall collar and patch pockets to the lower front. The jacket has knitted cuffs and waistband and has cloth insignia patch sewn to the left breast, comprising a skull wearing a leather flying helmet over a moon, on a black field. Above the patch is a leather name tag, with the text, 'GW MORRELL' applied by stamp.

Object number: UNI 13857 - A-2 Leather Flying Jacket worn by 2nd Lieutenant...

Radar Observer Lieutenant Joseph Cotton and Second Lieutenant George W Morell, of the 414th Night Fighter Squadron with their Beaufighter nicknamed "Pistol Packin' Mama" in Sardinia, Italy.

Object number: UPL 41539 - Radar Observer Lieutenant Joseph Cotton and Second...

Lieutenant George W Morrell and Captain Edgar James of the 414th Night Fighter Squadron at Honiley, England

Object number: UPL 41540 - Lieutenant George W Morrell and Captain Edgar...

Lieutenant George W Morrell of the 414th Night Fighter Squadron at Elmas Airfield in Sardinia, Italy.

Object number: UPL 41541 - Lieutenant George W Morrell of the 414th Night...