William P. Morse

William Pitt Morse (24 June 1889 – 20 December 1975) was a United States Army officer. During World War II, he commanded the 102nd Division during the Philippines campaign and then spent more than three years as a prisoner of war after being ordered to surrender in May 1942.

Early life and education Morse was born in Brainerd, Minnesota and later moved to Montana. He graduated from the Command and General Staff School in 1928 and the Army War College in 1939. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his World War I service. Morse received a temporary promotion to colonel after the outbreak of hostilities with Japan in December. He was awarded a second Silver Star Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal for his World War II service. His wartime promotion to colonel was made permanent in April 1947. He retired from active duty on 30 June 1949.

Later life By the 1940s, his wife Margaret was living in the Los Angeles, California area, in Hollywood and North Hollywood. In 1975, Morse died in Los Angeles County at age 86.