Fort Benning

U.S. Army Fort Benning and The Maneuver Center of Excellence

Fort Benning Historic Trail Site

Fort Benning Historic Trail

Historical Site 38. 1SG Walter Morris Quarters
Built 1931
Bldg 548. 342 Johnson St.

1SG Walter Morris Quarters outside

1SG Walter Morris lived at 302 Johnson Street from 1943-1944.  During that time he was the first black Soldier selected for parachute duty and the first Senior NCO of the 555th Parachute Infantry Company.  The commandant of The Parachute School personally selected him to lead the original 17 black Parachute School volunteers after becoming aware of him secretly leading his subordinates through the School’s conditioning course after duty hours.  

1SG Walter Morris Quarters Plaque A bronze plaque marks the family quarters of 1SG / 2LT Morris. It shows the street name as “Meehan St.” but Fort Benning has since restored it to its original name, “Johnson St.”, which it had at the time the Morris family lived there in 1943 - 44.
1SG Walter Morris and family at his house (1944)

In this photo, 1SG Walter Morris is seen with his family in front of his house.

1SG Walter Morris and family at his house (1944)
1SG Walter Morris and family at his house (1944)