Pfc. Melvin A. Morgan

How this story crossed my path

During the ongoing search for information, photos, and stories about 'Antwerp X', Dieter Dijck and the Dr. Cornil family presented the opportunity to look through the Cornil family photo albums. In these were numerous photos referring to the stay of American soldiers in or near Putte. Soldiers from the anti-aircraft artillery who protected the port of Antwerp from V-bombs during 'Operation Antwerp X'.

For their contribution to our freedom, I would like to take this opportunity to tell their story and give them the recognition they deserve. Family friend to the Cornil-Vercammen family was Pfc. Melvin A. Morgan of the 494th AAA Gun Battalion. He gave the Cornil family a photo of himself with the following message written on the back: 'Good Luck to Hélène from Melvin Morgan - Keiser, Arkansas, Box 449'. The photo disappeared for years in the Cornil family photo album.

Biography and Wartime Service

I was unable to find the exact date of birth and date of death of Melvin A. Morgan from Keiser, Mississippi County, Arkansas. However, based on his marriage license, which states that he married Beatrice Floyd in 1941 when he was 25 years old, we can deduce that he was born in 1916.

Melvin A. Morgan enlisted in the Regular Army and got his basic training as a young private with the Coast Artillery Corps. He married Beatrice Floyd on September 13, 1941, in Keiser, Arkansas. A search through the Morning Reports from B Battery, 494th AAA Gun Battalion yielded his ASN number #37099271. According to the Morning Reports from October 1943 from B/494th, he was stationed at Camp Skelton Hill and Tilloi, Iceland, for further training, so he was one of the men who joined B Battery when the 494th was formed in Iceland.

After later moves that took the unit through Scotland, England and Normandy they were stationed in Putte, Belgium, as part of operation 'Antwerp X'. Melvin's battery, B Battery was set up from November 2 until November 15, 1944 in a field near Reetlei in Putte. Since then the site has been completely build up. Their position was very close to the Cornil-Vercammen residence which explains why they would have gotten acquainted with each other.

If anyone can help me with further identification of Pfc. Melvin A. Morgan, please contact me

Gallery

click on the images to enlarge

Thanks to the Cornil family for sharing these photo from their family albums