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Home Town Manhattan's East Village
Last Address He died March 3, 1962, at the Naval Academy Hospital. He is buried alongside his wife Rose in Arlington National Cemetery. His three sons, son-in-law and a grandson all became Naval Academy Midshipmen.
Date of Passing Mar 03, 1962
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Alexander Cecil Morris Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy
LCDR Morris's 47 year five month career spanned the end of sail, the use of both coal and oil, and the beginning of the nuclear age. He served under Presidents Theodore Roosevelt to Dwight Eisenhower, a full quarter of the nation's history.
Alexander Cecil Morris, a career Navy Musician, became leader of the band in 1946. Born in Manhattan's East Village on January 21, 1889, he was orphaned at age three and grew up at the St. Vincent's School for Boys in New York City. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on November 17, 1907, and served on board the training ship USS Constellation. Eighteen years later, he was selected to be "third leader" at the newly formed U.S. Navy Band in Washington D.C. and also held the position as bandleader on board the Presidential Yacht "MAYFLOWER," serving Presidents Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, and Franklin Roosevelt. In 1931, he was promoted to "second leader" at the U.S Navy Band. His transfer to the Naval Academy Band as second leader came in 1938. Notable events during his tenure include the beginning of a weekly radio show, marching in the WWII Victory Parade, inaugurating the annual tradition of a combined performance of Handel's "Messiah" in the Naval Academy Chapel with the chorus from Mt. Hood College, and the first performance of the band on television. In 1953, Congress amended the law governing the Naval Academy Band to permit the Secretary of the Navy to prescribe the grade of the leader. Lieutenant Morris received promotion to Lieutenant Commander. Congress also established that the proportionate distribution among the ratings of the enlisted men would be the same as in the U.S. Navy Band, Washington, D.C. In August 1954, at the request of the Superintendent, a board of officers selected by the Chief of Naval Personnel conducted an inspection of the Naval Academy Band. This board's report covered every facet of the Band's operation, and recommendations were made to increase the size of the band and provide adequate facilities, musical instruments, and equipment. In March of 1955, nearly all of the band's instruments and equipment were replaced. The value of this material was $35,000, but a majority came from surplus stocks on hand which were purchased in anticipation of a large expansion for the Korean War. Additional space was acquired to expand the music library and office space needed for increased administrative requirements. Mr. Morris retired in March 1955 after 47 years and five months of continuous service and was the first Band Leader to be honored by the Naval Academy as the Reviewing Officer at a Dress Parade, as well as by the State of Maryland with Senate Resolution No. 42, congratulating and commending him for his services to the state and the Navy.
LCDR Morris retired from the Navy on March 31, 1955 with 47 years and 5 months service. Only Fleet Admirals William D. Leahy, Ernest J. King, and Chester W. Nimitz- always considered on active duty- exceeded his tenure. LCDR Morris was the last active member of the Great White Fleet. He had advanced from apprentice seaman, through Musician 2nd Class, Musician 1st Class, Bandmaster (temporary), Bandmaster (permanent), Warrant Officer, and Lieutenant, to Lieutenant Commander.
Other Comments:
When the Navy's Bureau of Personnel, Bupers, was converting personnel records in the early '50s, they started with the most recent and ended with the earliest. LCDR Morris's leather-bound personnel jacket showed he had the most continuous service of anyone in any of the armed forces, and by several years. It listed his first station as the USS Constellation. Bupers presented the pouch to LCDR Morris as a memento. In his biography, written by his son, LCDR Morris' permanent rate was Chief Musician; he reinlisted eleven (11) times (eleven hash marks) and retired as a Lieutenant Commander.
ALEX MORRIS, ABA MEMBER 1932-1957
Sailed with THE GREAT WHITE FLEET
Date
Not Specified
Last Updated: Jan 23, 2020
Comments
Plank Owner on the battleship USS New Hampshire.
Apprentice Seaman Morris was assigned to the battleship USS New Hampshire, then nearing commissioning in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Learning that Seaman Morris played the clarinet and violin, and wanted to be in the band, the ship's bandleader, C. G. Starke, informed him the ship's bugler was being transferred. "Do you know how to play a bugle Morris?" "No sir." replied the young sailor. "Can you learn how to play one?" he asked. "Yes sir." came the reply. "Well good. You have three months to prepare yourself as the new ship's bugler." If he qualified, he would become a musician striker.
Bugles were the main means of communicating events aboard ship in that day. To join the ship's band meant he had to learn 132 bugle calls. Young Morris still considered this wonderful news. He would escape the deck force, and wear a musician's badge on a marine's uniform. Al studied under Bandleader Starke, who he described as an excellent leader and outstanding cornet player.
In early 1909, New Hampshire received orders to join the Great White Fleet off Bermuda for the final days of their round-the-world cruise begun in mid 1907. The Fleet had started the historic 46,000 mile trip from Hampton Roads, Virginia, down the east coast of the U. S. and South America, then back up the west side. The Panama Canal was not yet open. They stayed two months in San Francisco harbor, with some ships visiting Seattle. On July 7, 1908, they stood out of the Golden Gate bound for Hawaii. Later stops included New Zealand, Australia, Manila, Yokohama, Ceylon, Suez, various Mediterranean ports, Bermuda and finally home to Virginia. They were celebrated and entertained everywhere.
On February 17, 1909, Rear Admiral Arnold's squadron, consisting of battleships Maine (flagship), New Hampshire, Mississippi, Idaho, and the cruiser Salem, joined Rear Admiral Sperry's Great White Fleet. Five days later, February 22, 1909 the Fleet arrived at Hampton Roads, Virginia. The New Hampshire entered Hampton Roads as part of the Great White Fleet, passing in review as President Theodore Roosevelt stood on the brow of the Presidential Yacht, Mayflower.
As each ship-of-the-line passed the President, she fired a 21-gun salute and proceeded to an assigned anchorage. As a finale, all the ships fired a second 21-gun salute in unison as the last ship dropped anchor. Roosevelt later wrote that this was his proudest moment as President.
