404-t0121-10140 4 & 7 he “py 1. Mr. David S. Morales is héreby recommended for the Intelligence Medal of Merit for his twenty-five years of dedicated service with the Central Intelligence Agency. 2. Prior to his entrance on duty with the Central Intelligence Agency in March 1951, Mr. Morales served from April 1946 to March 1951 in the United States Army. 3. Mr. Morales spent more than twenty years in the field in several different installations in the areas of Europe, Latin America and East Asia. He held senior level positions engaged in FI, CI, CA and PM opera- tions. His record includes such items as participation in key roles in both of Latin America Division's two major PM/political action operations plus tours as | Laos (supervised 45 employees); and, Regional Officér in arge, Vietnam (supervised 60 employees). These assignments were carried out in war zones requiring considerable personal courage. , "4. Mr. Morales was commended twice by Chiefs of Station while assigned to the Cuban operation; by the Director of Central Intelligence for service in the| during the crisis; by the King of Laos during his assignment in Laos and by the Government of Vietnam for his service in that country. 5. Upon his return from Vietnam in 1971-Mr. Morales was assigned to FR Division, | where he was targeted on Latin American This assignment was initiated by Latin nerica Uivision in an effort to get, at the rich operational potential afforded by the presence of numerous Latin American officials. Mr. Morales, wit is long years of experience in Latin America, and his native fluency in Spanish, proved ideal for this assignment. He developed numerous assets who were later pursued successfully and recruited in the field and he made several significant recruitments of his own. 6. Following the FR assignment Mr. Morales returned to the Latin America Division where he completed his final year with CIA. He served TDY as Acting Chief of Station,| fer some menths. During this iod “there was more activity an Prishment flowing out of chef | Station than had been seen in years". This is typical of Mr. M resourcefulness, imagination and push to - the job done.. The remainder of his Agency time was spent on a TDY to and in the Cuban Operations Group, where his contribution was also very large. 3° RETURN TO CIA Background Use Only Do Not Reproduce 1 Meee TS AS £2 IMPDET ° CL BY 059115 os * eit notte Ge od boas
H Sw eee ee ob ee D ‘ Rate eg ° 7. During his Agency career Mr. Morales was constantly engaged in an exceptionally wide variety of activity in hazardous areas (Guatamala, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Laos and Vietnam). He recruited countless assets and sources directed against a wide range of targets. In addition, he managed large installations and sizeable groups. He always shouldered heavy responsibilities and consistently demonstrated that he had the capacity, determination and necessary judgment to take on such jobs. 8. After nearly thirty years of dedicated and productive service ‘with the US Government, Mr. Morales retired on 31 July 1975... Throughout his long career he was a dedicated, skillful and professional clandestine operator and unfailing in the pursuit of Agency objectives. His performance was of the highest caliber and unquestionably contributed significantly to the Agency's mission. Gre TPMT Nee PEE w i phere pete 8g te De nee an a 2. ee 6 Bue bss a a bd Se
CITATION Mr. David S. Morales * is hereby awarded the “Intelligence Medal of Merit for his accomplishments during his career with the Central Intelligence Agency. Mr. Morales, during his entire Agency career, displayed exceptional talent, considerable imagination and initiative, and intense devotion to duty. With determination, resourcefulness and adaptability he performed all assignments in an extremely competent manner. His many achievements, often under hazardous conditions, reflect great credit on: him and the Central Intelligence Agency.