TECHNICIAN FIFTH GRADE THOMAS HAROLD “BUNT” MORTON; U.S. ARMY

DOB/DOD: February 10, 1916 (Norwalk, CT) – December 16, 2006 (Norwalk, CT); 90 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Catherine A. Dorsey (1920-2002).
CHILDREN: Four daughters, Ellen T. Morton Pataschnick (1950-), Patricia E. Morton DePaoli (1956-), Catherine Morton Devine (1955-), and Anne Morton Itzkoff (1961-).
Three sons, Thomas F. (1950-), John P. (1952-), and Peter J. (1953-).
LOCAL ADDRESS: Fillow Street and 82 Spring Hill Avenue, Norwalk
ENLISTMENT: February 24, 1941 (before Pearl Harbor)
SERVICE NUMBER: 20132982

FAMILY: Born to John R. (1876-1925) and Ellen “Nellie” T. Morton Silk (1875-1954). One sister, Helen T. Morton Carroll (1915-1983). One stepbrother, John (1908-1972). Two half-sisters, Irene Morton Silk Lyden (1903-1987) and Winifred Morton Reilly (1906-1989).

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From The Norwalk Hour August 4, 1943

TELLS STORIES OF NORWALK BOYS NOW FIGHTING IN THE SOLOMONS

Several Norwalk boys, who are in the Solomon Islands, are mentioned in a story written by Earl A. Taylor of Bethel and released by the War Department. Most of these lads are former members of Battery C, 192nd Infantry, National Guards. Says Writer Taylor: “Sgt. Edward Root of Norwalk has earned himself the name of Billard Ball. It is very fitting, too; you see, Ed has all of his hair cut off. There are ‘two boys in this outfit from Norwalk who are giving everybody lots of trouble as far as identities go, namely Corp. Thomas Fuller and Corp. Warren Hartmayer. Everybody is still wondering if they are not twins. Staff Sgt Claude Traini of Norwalk is busy keeping ‘em rolling and wants: to take time out to send his best regards to all the gang back there in the Highway Department. “Corp. Thomas (Bunt) Morton of Norwalk keeps many a lad up nights with his tall tales of the various hunting expeditions he has been on. Perhaps he will be able to tell some better ones when he gets home. Staff Sgt. C. Richard Berkins of Norwalk and New Haven is always trying to find out who doesn’t smoke so that everyone can have more cigarettes from the issue stock. Staff Sgt. Henry McAuliffe, formerly of Mac’s Diner in Stamford, is wishing for the day when he can enjoy another one of those ‘just perfect’ fishing jaunts over at Lake Zoar.

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From The Norwalk Hour June 11, 1945

CPL THOMAS MORTON GETS PURPLE HEART

With the 43rd Infantry (Winged Victory) Division on Luzon, Philippines — Technician Fifth Grade Thomas H. Morton, son of Mrs. Nellie T. Morton, 82 Spring Hill Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut, has been awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received April 30, 1945 while in combat against the Japanese on Luzon Island in the Philippines. Corporal Morton is in the field artillery of the 43rd “Winged Victory” Division. During 31 months overseas, the 43rd has participated in four campaigns: Guadalcanal, Northern Solomons, New Guinea, and Luzon.

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From The Norwalk Hour December 18, 2006

THOMAS H. “BUNT” MORTON
RETIRED USPS EMPLOYEE

Thomas H. “Bunt” Morton, 90, Norwalk, husband of the late Catherine Dorsey Morton, died Saturday evening, December 16th, in Norwalk Hospital. Born in Norwalk on February 10, 1916, son of the late John R. and Nelie Silk, he was a lifelong Norwalk resident. In his early years, Mr. played baseball with many area teams, including the Spring Hill Tigers. He joined the 192nd Company, Connecticut National Guard, and served with the U.S. Army in the South Pacific during World War II, where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. Returning to Norwalk after the war, Mr. Morton became a neighborhood mailman until retirement in 1976 from the Postal Service. He continued his career at the former Litton Credit Corporation of Stamford, retiring in 1990. A lifelong communicant at St. Mary Parish, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 46, and was the oldest Knight of the council at his death. He enjoyed hunting and, at one time, raised fox hounds. Survivors include seven children; Ellen Patashnick., of Springfield, MA; Thomas F. Morton of New York City; John P. and Peter J. Morton; Catherine Devine and Patricia DePaoli, all of Norwalk, Ann Biocica Itzkoff, of Bethesda. MD, 14 grandchildren: Matthew, Sara, and Andrew Patashnick: Kelly, Kevin, Daniel, Robert, and Kimberly Devine; Laura and Steven DePaoli: Elizabeth and Caroline Itzkoff; Sean and Bryan Morton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10:00 AM in St. Mary Church, 669 West Avenue. Burial with military honors will follow in St. John Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue. 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Memorial contributions are requested to St. Mary Church. 669 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850, or the American Heart Association 5 Brookside Dr., PO Box 5022, Wallingford, CT 06492.

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Buried in St. John’s Cemetery, 221 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut; Section and Plot number are unknown. Photo from FindAGrave.com.

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