First Lieutenant Morse was the pilot of a F-84E Thunderjet fighter with the 111th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 136th Fighter Bomber Wing. On 17 November 1951, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed into the water and exploded. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

For his leadership and valor, First Lieutenant Morse was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.