My older brother Eddie always wanted to be a flyer. Growing up in Memphis Tennessee during World War II with an uncle who was a bombardier in the 15 Air Force in Europe helped fuel the flame of that dream. As a Boy Scout in Troop 35 and Explorer Post 35 he camped all over West Tennessee and North Mississippi as well as Kia Kima in Arkansas. He was also one of the first contingent of Explorers from Memphis to make the trek to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. Ed earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was influenced by many men who had served in the war.

It was no surprise that he applied for and was accepted at the new United States Air Force Academy in its second class in 1956. He graduated in 1960, was commissioned a second lieutenant, and married a sweet hometown girl Ann Cook, younger sister of one of his scout buddies. Ed completed Squadron Officers School and completed a Masters degree in computer science at Texas A&M. He and Ann had two children, Elaine and James Edward III. Over the next nine years, during the Cold War, he would serve in Europe and Korea flying troop carrier support and reconnaissance missions.

In 1968 he was selected as a Weapons System Officer in a Phantom jet fighter and assigned to the 366th Fighter Wing in DaNang Republic of Vietnam. Sitting “back seat” in the fighter, Ed’s job was to assist with ground support operation of American and RVN forces in the I Corps area. He arrived at DaNang May 22, 1969. Having flown over 50 mission the first two months, there he was killed when his plane was providing support to friendly forces in Quang Nam Province August 3. After successfully delivering their ordnance on target his plane was hit by enemy ground fire and crashed killing him and the pilot Captain James E. White.

Ed is survived by his wife Ann and his two children Elaine and James Edward III.

Ed had no illusions about the complexities of the war and how in many instances it had been handled badly. But he was unequivocal in his support of the overall mission. In Vietnam, in Korea, in Western Europe and through out the globe during the 60s, he was there along with his fellow flyers under the flag of the United States offering comfort to the distressed and aid to those whose freedom was imperiled. His service and life had been a fulfillment of the Air Force Cadet’s Prayer:

(Fred C. Morton, Ed's brother)