Okmulgee native and Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Melvin Morris is pictured in Washington D.C. at the National Memorial Day event. He, along with other living recipients, were honored during the program. General Mark A. Milley, 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is pictured with Morris, and his wife Mary. Morris, who was born Jan. 7, 1942, in Okmulgee, received the Medal of Honor on March 18, 2014. He also received the Distinguished Service Cross in April 1970 for extraordinary heroism in a Sept. 17, 1969 battle, while commanding the Third Company, Third Battalion of the IV Mobile Strike Force near Chi Lang. Then-Staff Sgt. Morris led an advance across enemy lines to retrieve a fallen comrade and single-handedly destroyed an enemy force that had pinned his battalion from a series of bunkers. Staff Sgt. Morris was shot three times as he ran back toward friendly lines with the American casualties, but did not stop until he reached safety. After receiving the award, he returned to Vietnam the same month for his second tour. He retired at Fort Hood, Texas in May 1985. COURTESY PHOTO