Medal of Honor recipient Melvin Morris, an Okmulgee native, center, after his induction into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame. Seated is Medal of Honor recipient Bennie Adkins, who was inducted in 2015. [Photo provided by John Greiner]

SFC Melvin Morris, an Okmulgee native who received the Medal of Honor 45 years after his heroic actions on a Vietnam battlefield, stood ramrod straight as he talked to future military officers about leadership.

A black man who was born in Okmulgee in 1942, Morris never spoke about the battle where he saved lives, was wounded, destroyed enemy bunkers and recovered the body of a slain comrade, ensuring he would not be left behind on the battlefield.

The battle was Sept. 17, 1969. He was awarded the Medal of Honor 45 years later after a review of more than 6,000 other recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest award for bravery.

The review was ordered by Congress in 2002 to determine if any Jewish, Hispanic or black soldiers were passed over for the Medal of Honor because of anti-Semitism or racism.