To the best of your knowledge, what influenced his/her decision to join the Navy?

Young Al Morris first studied music at St. Vincent's. He started with the harmonica and soon excelled. The Brothers then taught him to play the clarinet with great technique. He joined the asylum band and also began to study the violin. The asylum's band marched in parades, entertained, and competed with other bands. A Sister Alice, recognizing his strong interest and talent in music, suggested changing from George to Cecil, after St. Cecilia, the Church's Patron Saint of music. Al adopted Cecil as his middle name when confirmed. From then on, his name was Alexander Cecil Morris.

Occasionally, the band accompanied New York Governor Theodore Roosevelt to ceremonies. One was the ceremony at which the hyphen was made part of Wilkes-Barrie, Pennsylvania's name. When Roosevelt was elected President in 1904, he invited the orphans' band to march in his inaugural parade. With few, if any exceptions, Al marched in all inaugural parades from Roosevelt's in 1905 through Eisenhower's in 1953.

When Al had to leave the orphanage at seventeen to make his way in life, the sisters gave him the clarinet and violin he had been playing. For the next two years, he worked a variety of jobs, such as butcher, and a printer like his Dad. However, he continued to want to learn music. Eventually, a printer friend, Tom O'Connor, told him he could join the Navy for "three squares and a hammock," with time ashore to study music. Mr. O'Connor, no doubt, never dreamed this orphan boy would someday receive letters of congratulation from high government officials.

Al enlisted in the Navy on November 17, 1907, at the age of eighteen. He attended boot camp in Newport, Rhode Island, finishing in April 1908. The first entry in his personnel jacket was the training ship USS Constellation, now berthed in Baltimore Harbor. She was the Navy's last fully sail-powered warship. Later, she spent 21 years, 1872-93, at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. The Navy next ordered Constellation to Newport, Rhode Island, no doubt to give Boots a taste of the "oulde Nyvee."

To the best of your knowledge, please describe the direction or path he/she took in his/her military service. What was his/her reason for leaving?

LCDR Morris's 47-year, five-month career spanned the end of the 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 a 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 was 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 on March 31, 1955, 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.

If he/she participated in any military operations, including combat, humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, to the best of your knowledge, please describe those you feel were the most significant to him/her and, if life-changing, in what way.

LCDR MORRIS served his country throughout WWI, WWII, and the Korean War. He served under Presidents Theodore Roosevelt to Dwight Eisenhower, a full quarter of the nation's history.

From their entire military service, describe any personal memories, you may be aware of, which impacted him/her the most.

A PROUD MOMENT FOR BOTH ALEX MORRIS AND TEDDY ROOSEVELT.

Alex Morris was a Plank Owner on the battleship USS New Hampshire of the Great White Fleet.

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.

Of all the medals, awards, formal presentations and qualification badges he/she received, which were the most meaningful to him/her and why?

THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL.

Although LCDR MORRIS received other awards, the Good Conduct Medal and 11 Gold Hash Marks showed his dedication to the U.S. Navy by serving on active duty from 1907 until 1955.

Vice Admiral J. L. Holloway, Jr., Chief of Naval Personnel, wrote him "On the occasion of your retirement, I wish to convey both my official and personal appreciation for the high order of service you have devoted to the Navy for almost half a century. From our records, it would appear that you have the longest continuous active duty of any enlisted man now in the service. For over 47 years, you have maintained an exemplary record unblemished and unmarred by adverse entry. Your interest and enthusiasm down through the years have been an inspiration to your juniors and seniors alike. From my personal observation while Superintendent of the Naval Academy, as well as from my review of your record, I know that your military bearing, devotion to duty, and dynamic leadership have, for many years, set the highest standards for emulation by the midshipmen."

Senate Resolution No. 42, from the State of Maryland on March 23, 1955, congratulated and commended LCdr. Morris for his services to the state and the Navy.

If known, please list any individual(s) from his/her time in the military who stood out as having the most positive impact on them and why?

Serving his Presidents.

During his career, Bandleader Morris served on the Presidential Yacht Mayflower.

Morris held the position as bandleader on board the Presidential Yacht "MAYFLOWER," serving Presidents Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, and Franklin Roosevelt.

Are you aware of any particular incident from his/her service, which may or may not have been funny at the time, but still made them laugh later on?

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 reenlisted eleven (11) times (shown above as eleven hash marks) and retired as a Lieutenant Commander.

As an enlisted man, he had to reenlist in November of 1952 for the eleventh time. Unfortunately, after quickly spending his "shipping over" money, LT Morris had to pay it back- officers, it turned out, did not rate the stipend even if he did have to re-up.

If he/she survived military service, what profession(s) did he/she follow after discharge?

LCdr. Morris lived out his retirement years in Annapolis. 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.

Most of the attached story was written by sons Alex and Charles Morris.

Additional details are outlined on his profile page under: BIOGRAPHY OF: A.C. Morris, 10th Leader of the Naval Academy Band.

If known, what military associations was he or she a member of, if any? Are you aware of any specific benefits they derived from their memberships?

ALEX MORRIS, ABA MEMBER 1932-1957

Al also devoted a great part of his spare time to practical work in counterpoint, arrangement, and transcription of orchestral and band music. As a result of his work and reputation in the musical world, he passed a rigorous examination by Arthur Pryor and Franko Baedman and was admitted to the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. Because he was giving concerts around New York from about 1912, composers such as Irving Berlin would ask him to play their tunes. He said he always liked Irving.

If he/she survived military service, in what ways do you believe his/her serving in the military influenced the way they approached their personal life, family life and career?

Music and the Navy were Alex Morris' life.

In 1938, Chief Morris was transferred to the U. S. Naval Academy Band as Second Leader, with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. Eight years later, March 3, 1947, he was designated Leader. He succeeded LT Sima, who had become Leader about January 1933, on LT Peterman's retirement. The Leader was entitled to the pay and allowances of a Lieutenant, senior grade by 34 U. S. Code 1091-a. On March 10, 1947, Chief Musician Alberto Schifanellia was promoted to Second Leader with the rank of Warrant Officer. Morris was promoted in September 1953 to Lieutenant Commander, when there was a general advancement of Navy bandleaders. He was the only Naval officer wearing a gold lyre above his LT and LCDR stripes where the line officers wore stars.

PHOTO: LCDR Morris' retirement, 1955

LCDR A.C. Morris was the Band Leader at Annapolis at the time of his retirement. He lead is own retirement parade and was the first Band Leader to be honored by the Naval Academy as the Reviewing Officer at a Dress Parade. -April 1955.

If they were here today, what advice do you think he or she would give to those who followed in their footsteps and recently entered military service?

Respect yourself and others by giving.

The cover page to A.C. Morris' 1955 composition "Good Luck and Goodbye".

As he prepared to retire, Morris wrote this gift for the 1955 USNA graduating class. It was something he did every year but this year was special, it was his last.

The dedication reads "This song is respectfully dedicated to each and every graduating class of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis".

How effective has TogetherWeServed.com been in helping you record your remembered persons military service? Do you have any additional comments or suggestions you would like to make?

This is a REMEMBRANCE PROFILE for:

Alexander Cecil Morris
Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy
10th Leader of the Naval Academy Band

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