Doug Morrell, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
We have just learned via Terri Bulloch, the sister of Julie Morrell, that Doug passed away on September 2, 2017 at the age of 98.
We have no obituary information yet, but she did relay the following information.
“Doug passed away September 2nd. We are having Doug’s graveside memorial service at Riverside Veterans cemetery Friday September 29 th at 11:45 am. Sorry for the late notice, Julie has been very sick and I am trying to help her with arrangements for Doug. I was wondering if possible you could inform some of his friends to let them know about the memorial? Julie & I would really appreciate it.”
Please help pass this along as we need a good showing for this Combat Camera Hero and veteran!
For the younger folks that didn’t know Doug, below is a video that includes him talking about his service during World War II, including that of being shot down. Four wars, shot down three times, Nazi POW once.
Rest In Peace Doug Morrell. A legend and a hero. We’ll miss you sir! At the Riverside National Cemetery, Calif.
Posted by Val Gempis on Friday, September 29, 2017
Many days we sat and waited to see who had the highest score from Doug. Doug was the master of screening your footage but providing an honest opinion and how to improve. A master of training many of us on how to shoot uncontrolled action and his comments stayed with you. His mentorship will be truly missed but I’m sure he will be trying to keep the sun at our backs. Thanks Doug.
First thing that came to mind when thinking about Chief Morrell was while at Vandenburg as Squadron Chief I was tasked to host luncheon for all other Base units. I received this notice on a Thursday at 1500 hrs from Col Tom Diamond. Col Diamond said luncheon would be the very next day Friday, and he had let it slip his mind !He also advised I would need to get a Speaker for the luncheon, and advised that I should be very careful in selecting one as the audience would be very critical.!! I called Doug at 1600 that day and asked (begged) him to be speaker. With-out hesitation he said he would be there. As usual with Chief Morrell his talk went over extremely well with all in attendence and Col Diamond breathed a sigh of relief, however I inherited the luncheon function from there on!! Doug accomplished a whole lot of more important things in his career but this surely showed a lot about his character. Sad to hear of his passing, but really pleased to have known and worked with him on several occasions. My best to Dougs family and his multitude of friends
Roy Bagwell, CMSgt, Ret Comdoc
I’ll never forget Doug. I’ll be back in LA Thursday and plan on being at the service Friday. If there is anything I can do to help with the proceedings, please let me know.
I’m sure Doug has had them laughing in heaven since he arrived! Always a great story teller and an outstanding mentor…a wonderful friend…He always advocated positivity and the belief that no one should ever surrender or quit…hope trumps all!
I imagine their is a roaring reunion of fellow Combat Camera Comrades to include Haggerty, Bass, Anderson, Mosley and Winters!
Godspeed Doug!
Here’s a quick 3 minute overview of a long form documentary that Buck Kahler and I made on Doug, some 24 years ago…You can watch the Doug Morrell story HD at the following:
Watch this video on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/39582206
CMSgt Doug Morrell was a positive influence to me since I first met him in 1987. His rules for shooting uncontrolled action were the gospel to us young cameramen, I’ll never forget this man.
Rest easy Chief.