Captain Morris R. McBride

He may be gone, but he is not forgotten – On this day March 3, 1964, Army Captain Morris (Morrie) R. McBride – 28, Ranger Infantry Unit Commander, perished while serving his country with Advisory Team 77, United States Military Assistance Command, 30 miles north of Saigon, Vietnam. Captain McBride was the first person with a home of record as Braintree, Massachusetts to sacrifice his life in the Vietnam conflict. He was a highly trained Army Advisor, could speak fluent Vietnamese and worked closely with the South Vietnamese Army. Captain McBride was a leader and an American hero. Morrie was born on April 8, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1941, Morrie’s father, a Colonel in the United States Army, was called to active duty, and the McBride family experienced life in the Army by traveling throughout the United States. At the end of World War II, the family moved back to Chicago. He graduated with honors from the York Township High School in Elmhurst, Chicago in 1953, studied music, was class vice president, played football and baseball and was active in his church’s youth fellowship. As the story goes, in 1952, without his parents’ knowledge, he enlisted in the 228th Infantry of Illinois National Guard. His enlistment was discovered at an evening inspection when the commander, Colonel McBride saw his son standing in the ranks. Morrie later applied for and was accepted to both the US Naval and West Point Academies. He chose West Point Military Academy and graduated in 1957. From there he attended the Advanced Infantry Training School in Fort Benning Ga. for Basic Infantry Officer’s training, the Airborne School and the Ranger School. It was during this period of time that he met his wife Anne. Before Captain McBride went to Vietnam, he served four years in Europe and while there, became a member of the International Sky Divers Club where he was awarded special recognition from the German Army for his jumping skills.

While in Vietnam, his first assignment was at the Vietnamese Army Ranger School at Duc My. Morrie could speak fluent Vietnamese and became a friend to the Vietnamese who served with him. This school trained ARVN rangers and were regarded as very effective units during the war. They would often go behind enemy lines on search and destroy missions. It was during one of these missions that his Vietnamese Ranger Unit was caught in a Viet Cong ambush. The units commanding officer was shot and Captain McBride assumed the leadership role of organizing the remaining troupes directing them in a staged safety retreat to the awaiting choppers. Captain McBride returned to the fire fight to save the Vietnamese Officer. He was killed while running through an open field assisting and sometimes carrying the wounded Officer.

It has been written that the morning Morrie was transported out to the states, the Vietnamese paid him a special tribute by placing a wreath and a bronze plaque at the base flag pole and then fired a 21-gun salute with live artillery rounds into Viet Cong territory.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his widow Anne, two daughters, Leah and Kirsten, of Columbus, Ohio his parents Colonel and Mrs. Otto L McBride of Celia Road, in Braintree and a brother Otto L McBride II. Captain McBride is buried at Fort Benning Post Cemetery, Section C3, Site 675, Fort Benning Georgia.

For his heroic actions, he received the Distinguished Service Cross. (He was promoted to Captain posthumously.) The Congressional Citation reads as follows;

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Morris Ralph McBride (ASN: 0-75692), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving an opposing force in the Republic of Vietnam on 3 March 1964, while serving with Advisory Team 77, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. As an Advisor to a Company in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, Captain McBride demonstrated fortitude, professional skill, and determination by rendering invaluable assistance to Vietnamese elements when they were suddenly subjected to heavy machine gun fire and mortars by hostile forces. When the initial attack wounded the company commander and several other soldiers, Captain McBride displayed complete disregard for his own personal safety and bravely exposed himself to the intense gun fire while rallying the members of two platoons which had become widely dispersed during the onslaught. Upon assuming command of the leaderless company, and while still under flanking fire, he moved among the members of the company giving them assistance, directions, and encouragement. Then, with sound judgment, professional competence, and steadfast courage, he directed the company's withdrawal through successive positions, remained with the covering force that was the last to withdraw, and continued his dauntless efforts until he was mortally wounded as he stopped to assist the wounded Vietnamese commander. His intrepid conduct, unselfish actions, and devotion to duty inspired his Vietnamese comrades to pursue their efforts in the defense to their homeland and curtailed the activities of the hostile forces. Captain McBride's conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary heroic actions, at the cost of his life, are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

There are two monuments dedicated to Captain McBride. The first- his uniform sits upon a mannequin display at the Sylvanus Thayer Museum in Braintree, Ma and the second monument is the naming of an elementary school, The Morris McBride Elementary School in Fort Benning, Ga.

The following sentence was taken from his West Point Class Dedication. “Those of us who knew Morrie feel a genuine sadness at the loss of such a warm friend. The life he lived will serve as a standard for us all. His sense of humor and his respect for others, combined with his devotion to Duty, Honor, Country produced a rare individual, a true friend, a real man.”

Captain Morris R. McBride is memorialized on the Vietnam Wall Memorial Panel 1E, Line 45.

Further note – Captain McBride and other Braintree residents who have died in Vietnam, and those who later died from wounds or Agent Orange related illnesses, or served in Vietnam and have passed, are honored and remembered at the Braintree Vietnam Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament. This event has been held annually for the past 32 years. The contributions collected are then given in the form of scholarships to high school students in their memory. Contributions and sponsorships  can be sent at any time to the Vietnam Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Peter Schiavone, 1752 Washington Street, Braintree, Ma. 02184. The next tournament will be held on August 26, 2024 at the Braintree Municipal Golf Course..  Following the tournament, all are invited to the Braintree Sons of Italy, King Hill Road in Braintree, Ma. for a luncheon.