b. November 13, 1930 Lexington, Kentucky
d. November 26, 1968 North Vietnam
He had enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1952 and his professional career was as an officer and pilot eventually serving in the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 432nd Tactical Reconnaisance Wing. He was aircraft commander on an F-4D Phantom II Fighter Jet when it was shot down over North Vietnam on November 25, 1968. He and the pilot, San D. Francisco, successfully ejected from the jet; search teams located the crash site and made voice contact with the crew, but were driven off by small arms fire. It is likely that the crew engaged in a firefight with the Vietcong, possibly killing some. By the time several days later when ground searchers arrived at the site, neither of the crew could be located. Jay was listed in military accounting as both a POW and MIA, but when he was not among the prisoners released from North Vietnamese prisons in 1973, his status changed to just MIA. He was discharged from the Air Force on October 26, 1973 which is the date on his memorial stone in Arlington National Cemetery. While his status was POW/MIA, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel.
His wife, Peggy, was active in the League of Families of American Prisoners in Southeast Asia. The members of the League were in constant communication with U.S. military leaders, and with Senators and Congressman pressing for action on getting a full accounting of POW/MIA soldiers. Over twenty-four years later, on September 23, 1992, representatives from the U. S. Pentagon came to the Morrison home and presented the family with photos of Col. Morrison lying dead in the jungle in Viet Nam, dressed in his flight suit and other clothing. His body has never been found.
Colonel Joseph Morrison's service to his country is recognized by a memorial stone in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D. C. and his name is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. A second memorial stone was placed at Black Oak Cemetery in 2025.
He and Peggy were the parents of David Jed Morrison and Cynthia 'Cindy' Ann Morrison McClanahan; they were a strong Christian family.
Written by Betty Barr and Corbin Smith from family information, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency records, and social media.
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