Frank Morgan

Frank Morgan is a U.S. Army soldier who served during the Vietnam War as a member of the Green Berets Special Forces. He is also a good friend of U.S. Army Colonel Mike Kirby.

Frank Morgan is an Army Colonel involved in the administrative capacity of the war. On screen, it is apparent he and Col. Mike Kirby share a long military history as well as a close friendship. Col. Morgan was expecting to return home to the United States as soon as Col. Kirby officially replaced him as the next commander in the Da Nang U.S. Army headquarters in Vietnam.

Col. Morgan was mostly responsible for dispensing mission intelligence to Col. Kirby, including introducing him to ally Southern Vietnamese Colonel Cai, who also shared information regarding Camp 2-9er Savoy, the future post for operations in the heart of enemy Viet Cong territory. Col. Morgan also brought in Col. Kirby to share details about a capture mission of a Viet Cong General in hopes of having political leverage. Ultimately, Col. Morgan remained a consummate professional and good friend maintained a steady balance in both roles.

Col. Morgan's recurring assistant was Private Reynolds, who often would drive Col. Morgan throughout the base grounds in a jeep.

Trivia

 * Col. Morgan was portrayed by frequent John Wayne movie castmate Bruce Cabot.


 * Bruce Cabot was one of several actors often cast in John Wayne movies throughout the course of the 1960s and 1970s. He was also a close friend of John Wayne and a drinking partner.


 * Col. Frank Morgan and Col. Mike Kirby shared a close friendship and shared similarities. Of these similarities included their steadfast belief in the United States rightfully fighting for a just cause in the Vietnam War. Both men also were married, albeit Morgan only mentioned his wife, while Kirby was supposed to have shared some screen time with his own wife (Kirby's wife was played by Vera Miles, whose scenes were later deleted prior to the film release).


 * Col. Morgan is one of three key field officers of the same rank, including Col. Mike Kirby and Colonel Cai.


 * Col. Morgan is also one of four characters in the film to be either addressed or have their first and last name cited. The other three include Sgt. Provo (as Albert C. Provo), Colonel Mike Kirby and Captain Nim (as Tran Nim).