Artwork Pays Tribute To Col. Mike Morgan
The first painting of the Bell Helicopter "Heroes of Aviation"
series was unveiled at a ceremony at the 2011 Army Aviation
Association of America (AAAA) professional forum and exposition,
held in Nashville TN. The work of art, painted by world renowned
combat artist, Patrick Haskett, depicts an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior in
combat operations in Afghanistan. The painting pays tribute to Col.
Mike Morgan and his unit, who were called to help rescue a group of
American soldiers who were pinned down by the Taliban in
Afghanistan.
OH-58D Kiowa Warrior File Photo
Col. Morgan was air mission commander of a team of Kiowa
Warriors with the 82nd Airborne Division in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
He earned recognition for his part in repelling an insurgent ambush
directed at a U.S. Army Engineer unit performing a route clearance
patrol. Accounts of the actions on Aug. 24, 2009, indicate 30 U.S.
ground troops faced about 100 enemy insurgents armed with heavy
machine guns, small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.
Col. Morgan repeatedly maneuvered his aircraft in close
proximity to rocket propelled grenade fire and heavy machine gun
fire, enabling him to engage and destroy the enemy positions,
saving the engineers’ lives. Twice, during the six-hour
battle, Col. Morgan's team of two helicopters refueled, re-armed
and returned to the fight. The team stayed in the battle even after
running out of rockets and .50-caliber ammunition twice. As lead
pilot, he and a trailing Kiowa Warrior made two additional passes
directly over the insurgents, drawing fire away from the ground
forces.
For his actions Col. Morgan was awarded the Silver Star, which
is the third highest wartime medal awarded for valor in the line of
duty. The medal was presented to Col. Morgan by Secretary of
Defense Robert Gates at Kandahar Airfield in March 2010. In
addition to the Silver Star, Col. Morgan also earned two
Distinguished Flying Crosses and an Army Commendation Medal with
Valor.
“The 10,500 men and women of Bell Helicopter are proud to
dedicate the first painting of our “Heroes of Aviation”
Series to Col. Morgan and his team,” said John L. Garrison,
president and CEO of Bell Helicopter. At the unveiling ceremony
Garrison told Col. Morgan, “ You may refuse to think of
yourself as a hero – but your soldiers who all made it out
alive and your team agree, you truly are an American
Hero!”
“I am humbled and touched by the attention that I have
been given, “said Col. Mike Morgan. “This honor
rightfully belongs to the men and woman who work tirelessly behind
the scenes to support the troops. It is a total team effort from
aviators, to maintainers, to supply and with our industry partners;
everyone is part of this team.”
The original painting has been donated to the 82 nd Airborne
museum in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina for display and was received at
the ceremony by Col. T.J. Jamison. Signed and numbered lithographs
will be presented to members of Col. Morgan’s squadron, with
the balance being given members of the unit and attendees at
AAAA.
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