Morrison
Julian Knox Morrison, Jr
LT Julian Knox Morrison, Jr., Commanding Officer of the USS Sealion took command on November 27, 1939. The submarine Sealion was turned over to the Navy in New London Conn, by the Electric boat Co., (builders) CAPT Richard S Edwards, Commander of the submarine base accepted the craft for the Navy, while LT Julian Morrison Jr, USN, read orders assigning him to command of the ship.
Prior to taking command of Sealion Morrison was involved in the rescue of the crew trapped in the Squalus. Morrison made the dives to the after torpedo Room to ascertain if there were any crew alive there. For these dives he was awarded the Navy Cross.
"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Julian K. Morrison, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Senior Assistant to the diving supervisor during the entire period of the rescue and salvage operations following the sinking of the U.S.S. SQUALUS on 23 May 1939. Lieutenant Morrison's technical diving knowledge and his ability in handling difficult situations in emergencies were outstanding. His calmness, courage and good judgment inspired confidence in his men as well as in the senior officers of the Unit. He made numerous deep dives himself and was the only diver to attempt to enter the SQUALUS while she was on the bottom, failing only due to circumstances beyond his control. His superior and outstanding performance of duty contributed much to the success of the operations and characterizes conduct above and beyond the call of duty."
General Orders: Bureau of Navigation Bulletin 278 (February 10, 1940) Action Date: 1939 Service: Navy Rank: Lieutenant Company: Assistant Diving Officer Regiment: Squalus Salvage Unit Division: U.S.S. Falcon (ASR-2)
On February 11, 1940 LT Julian Knox Morrison died after he had accidentally shot himself in the upper abdomen the day before while he was cleaning a .22 caliber target pistol aboard the USS Sealion, he died at the hospital. The Sealion was at St. Petersburg, Fla. at the time LT Morrison died, enroute to her first duty station in the Philippines. LCDR Richard G. Voge took command of Sealion until her sinking on Dec 10, 1941.
LT Julian Knox Morrison was buried February 13, 1940 at Arlington National Cemetery U.S. Veterans Grave site, Section 8 Site 5438.
Photo in the private collection of Mike Kaup
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