In Memory of GySgt Jonathan David Morgan USMC
November 17, 1985 – January 10, 2021
Active Duty / Served in OEF (Afghanistan)
Jonathan was an only child. He was born in Warren, Michigan but grew up in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri. His parents divorced when he was 7. When he was 14, he moved to a farm outside the small rural town of Hillsboro, Illinois.
Jon adored animals. The first family dog was a black lab puppy that came home when Jon was 4. Later we adopted a Beagle mix and then a Basenji. Once at the farm we added a Boston Terrier, another Lab, a St. Bernard mix, a Pointer, a Pit Bull mix, and the list goes on from there. Although he always wanted a ferret, mom said no. Jon learned to ride at summer camp and his mom bought two horses in 2001. Although allergic, Jon brought home two barn cats. As the years went on, cats began showing up, were fed, and welcomed. After Jon returned from his last deployment, he adopted a Dalmatian; he named her Storm.
He was musically talented. He took violin lessons in 3rd grade and then decided the trumpet was more suited to his tastes. He continued with the trumpet through junior high and was second chair in the high school band at Hillsboro High School. One of his closest friends was first chair. As a teenager he also taught himself to also play guitar.
Along with the high school band, he was also a member of FFA, and was on the tennis team during his Junior and Senior years. Funny thing about moving to this high school, he was upset they didn’t offer Latin as an option (St. Louis did.) He graduated in 2004.
Jonathan wanted to be a Marine since age of 12. He was in the delayed entry program during high school and officially enlisted in 2005. After basic and avionics training, he was stationed at MCAS Miramar, San Diego with HMH-361, the Flying Tigers.
His deployments included two MEUs – 2007 and 2008. He deployed twice to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, 2010-2011 and 2012-2013. He was an avionics technician providing diagnostics and maintenance for the CH-53E (Heavy Marine Helicopter, the “Super Stallion”).
In 2015 he was hand selected out of all the Avionics Marines to report to HX-21 West Palm Beach Detachment, Florida to begin training on the CH-53K (the “King Stallion”)! He was ecstatic about that assignment. He was an integral part of the evaluation, training, and maintenance of the King. Part of the evaluation process was to meet weekly/monthly with the overseeing committee, including members from Sikorsky (the plane’s manufacturer). He constantly challenged Sikorsky engineers about specifications and safety, and I do mean constantly.
In 2017 the unit moved to MCAS New River, Jacksonville, North Carolina. Jon was attached to VMX-1, the Winged Lions for final phase testing of the CH53-K to get it into service. Delay after delay, the King finally passed inspection for integration into the fleet (1/15/21) – five days after his passing (1/10/21).
He met Miguel Gonzales in 2016 and they married in June 2018. Shortly thereafter they adopted Gambit, a Dalmatian brother for Storm.
Jonathan was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in 2019.
He was extremely funny, highly intelligent, caring, and had a quick wit. He didn’t like to smile for photos but every now and then you’d catch a smirk. He didn’t like those who wouldn’t think for themselves, but if you tried, he would help you succeed. If you had a problem, he would drop everything to help you. He was admired by his fellow Marines and loved by his friends. His absence is a profound loss to the Marines, his family, and all who loved him. He will not be forgotten.
States he called home: Missouri and Illinois
Resting Place: Illinois
