Sy Morris was born on June 2, 1932, in Bremerton, Washington. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve on June 6, 1949, and served on active duty in the Navy as an Electronic Technician from February 26, 1953, to February 23, 1955. He remained in the Naval Reserve until receiving his commission as a 2nd Lt of Artillery through the Army ROTC program on June 15, 1957, and went on active duty beginning September 1, 1957. After completing Artillery Officer School, Lt Morris served as a Forward Observer with the 2nd Airborne Battle Group of the 502nd Infantry Regiment and then with the 1st Airborne Battle Group of the 21st Infantry Regiment in West Germany from May 1958 to February 1959. His next assignment was as Assistant Special Security Officer and then as Executive Officer with Headquarters 24th Infantry Division in West Germany from February to October 1959, followed by service as a Reconnaissance Officer with the 13th Artillery Regiment in West Germany from October 1959 to March 1960. He served as a Reconnaissance Officer and Liaison Officer with the 35th Artillery Regiment in West Germany from April to September 1960, and then as a Fire Section Commander with the 2nd Battle Group of the 2nd Infantry Regiment in West Germany from September 1960 to May 1961. Capt Morris next served as a Liaison Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, and as a Battery Commander with the 2d Howitzer Battalion of the 35th Artillery Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington, from May 1961 to May 1962, followed by service as Assistant Operations Officer with the 90th Replacement Battalion at Fort Lewis from May to September 1962. His next assignment was as Commanding Officer of Operational Detachment A with Company C, 5th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, from September 1962 to October 1963, and during this time he deployed to South Vietnam from January 1963 until he was wounded and returned to the United States in June 1963. Capt Morris served as an Adjutant and Section Chief with the Special Forces Training Group at Fort Bragg from October 1963 to January 1964, and then served as Commanding Officer of Battery C, 1st Howitzer Battalion of the 92nd Artillery Regiment at Fort Bragg from January to August 1964. He next served on the Staff of the 1st Howitzer Battalion of the 92nd Artillery Regiment at Fort Bragg from August to December 1964, followed by service as Assistant Operations Officer, as a Battery Commander, and as a Liaison Officer with 1st Battalion, 79th Artillery Regiment in South Korea from December 1964 to December 1965. His next assignment was as Commanding Officer (Counterinsurgency) with the 7th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg from February 1966 to February 1968, and then as Executive Officer, Liaison Officer, and Funds Officer with Company D, 5th Special Forces Group in South Vietnam from February 1968 to February 1969. Maj Morris served with the 82nd Division Artillery at Fort Bragg from March 1969 to January 1970, and then served as Chief of the Plans Operations Division with the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Center for Military Assistance at Fort Bragg from January 1970 to October 1972. During this time he served as a logistics planner as part of the Special Assistant for Counterinsurgency and Special Activities planning group for Operation Ivory Coast, the Son Tay Raid, a clandestine mission to rescue American Prisoners of War held in North Vietnam on November 21, 1970. His next assignment was as Chief of the Advanced Logistics Division with the Special Forces School at the U.S. Army Institute for Military Assistance at Fort Bragg from October to December 1972, followed by service as Logistics Officer with U.S. Military Assistance Command in South Vietnam from January to February 1973. His final assignment was as Chief of the Armaments and Munitions Branch with the 1st Corps Support Command at Fort Bragg from March 1973 until his retirement from the Army on August 1, 1975. Sy Morris died on April 11, 2006.

His Bronze Star Medal Citation reads:

By Direction of the President the Bronze Star Medal is Presented to Major Boyd F. Morris, 05700728, Artillery United States Army, who distinguished himself by outstandingly meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. During the period 8 February 1968 to 7 February 1969 he consistently manifested exemplary professionalism and initiative in obtaining outstanding results. His rapid assessment and solution of numerous problems inherent in a counterinsurgency environment greatly enhanced the allied effectiveness against a determined and aggressive enemy. Despite many adversities, he invariably performed his duties in a resolute and efficient manner. Energetically applying his sound judgement and extensive knowledge, he has contributed materially to the successful accomplishment of the United States mission in the Republic of Vietnam. His loyalty, diligence and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.