Major Morrison Auther Cotner, age 41, beloved husband of the beautiful Genevieve Marie Slanker, and father of 4 young children (John, Jim, Laura, Carol), is honored on Panel 18E, Row 106 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall at Washington D.C.

Major Cotner, call sign "Cutie" Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nha Trang, was flying a mission south of Tuy Hoa in Phu Yen Province South Vietnam when his plane was shot down by enemy fire. Army Technical SergeantCarmen Muscara also died in the crash.

A pilot killed in action during the Vietnam War, Morrison Auther Cotner has bravely served our country in three wars providing leadership and inspiration to others that continues to live on today. "We shall not forget."

As a teen Morrison joined the Navy July 1, 1942 to serve in WWII. He suffered burns when his small landing ship, hit by enemy fire, caught fire off Guadacanal. After WWII ended, he finished high school and earned a college degree at the the University of Arkansas.

Next he joined the Air Force, and obtained a degree in Aeronautics from Oklahoma A&M (now OSU) just in time to serve our country in the Korean War (1950-1953).

Finally, Morrison received Air Force Reserve orders for duty in Vietnam. Like so many others, Major Morrison Cotner put himself in harms way to protect the South Vietnamese, Laotian and Cambodian citizens from being forced to live under a communist regime caused by the invasion of their country by the forces of North Vietnam. He was assigned as Commander of the 7th Air Force Tactical Air Control Party (TAC) (FAC) and Liaison Officer with the 9th Republic of Korea Army Infantry "White Horse" Division. Having served for 20 years in the Air Force, his last tour of duty began Aug 26, 1966.

As a Forward Air Controller (FAC), Call Sign "Cutie," his duties in Vietnam included to fly low over enemy territory in fixed wing aircraft to get pictures, select and mark targets, and advise the division on how to accomplish both bombing and rescue missions, all while enduring intense ground fire, hazardous weather and hostile terrain. He was flying a reconnaisance mission close to Ving Ro Bay near TuyHoa, Phu Yen, South Vietnam when he was shot down by Viet Cong fire. His body was recovered.

Tsgt. John L. Lee, USAF Ret. wrote, "I was a member of his FAC enlisted team and had many close contacts with him. He was a great commander and friend. He encourged me to go back to college and get my degree. I thank him for all his help and friendship." (Nov 9, 2011)

Major Morrison Auther Cotner received more than 50 medals and decorations from the Navy, Air Force and Republic of Korea for his service in three wars.

Maj Morrison Auther Cotner-Findagrave.com