Former wing commander passes away Published April 23, 2012 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE -- Retired Air Force Col. Marvin N. 'Bud' Morss, former 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing commander, passed away April 16, in Imperial Beach, Calif. Morss was commander of the 55th SRW at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., from June 30, 1971, to Aug. 31, 1972. A 33-year veteran of the U.S. military, Morss was born Jan. 6, 1924, in Dunsmuir, Calif. He enlisted as a private in the Army in 1942, and in 1943, attended flight training, earning his wings and lieutenant bars in 1944. Morss' initial assignment was as a B-17 aircraft commander with the 97th Bomb Group in Foggia, Italy. Following various assignment at Hamilton AFB, Calif., Bergstrom AFB, Texas, Smyrna AFB, Tenn., he attended Air Force intelligence school and photo interpretation school at Lowry AFB, Colo. After stints at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., and in England, Morss came to Offutt where he served in a variety of positions with Strategic Air Command. After transferring to Yokota AB, Japan, and then Kadena AB, Japan, he returned to Offutt where he served as the deputy commander for operations, vice commander and eventually commander of the 55th SRW. Morss was preceded by his wife, Rose Marie White, and leaves behind three daughters, Katey Utterback, Rozanna Liedike, Mary Jane Wilkerson, one son, Robin Morss, 10 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Memorial services are scheduled for April 27, at March Air Reserve Base, Calif. Internment, with full military honors, will take place May 4, at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Ore.