Morrell served in the United States Army for over 32 years.

[2] After his entry on active duty in November 1954 he served in virtually every non-commissioned officer leadership position.

Morrell attended Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia at the age of forty-one and was selected as the Distinguished Honor Graduate for his class.

[3] Morrell's units of assignment include the 6th Infantry in Berlin; 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Germany; 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; 5th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and three tours in the Republic of Vietnam; two tours with the 7th and 8th Special Forces Group, Panama; 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas; Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor duty with Saint John's University, Minnesota; 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Infantry, Fort Stewart, Georgia, Special Forces Detachment (Airborne) Europe; United States Army Recruiting Command, Fort Sheridan, Illinois; and the United States Army Forces Command, Fort McPherson, Georgia.

It includes a medallion that the recipient wears as part of their Army uniform.