Born in May 1852 in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg,[1] Morse immigrated to the United States and joined the Navy from New York.
On that day, while Shenandoah was at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he and Seaman John Smith jumped overboard and rescued First Class Fireman James Grady from drowning.
For this action, both Morse and Smith were awarded the Medal of Honor four years later, on October 18, 1884.
[2] Morse's official Medal of Honor citation reads: or jumping overboard from the U.S.S.
Shenandoah at Rio de Janeiro Brazil, 19 September 1880, and rescuing from drowning James Grady, first class fireman.