Although previously a writer of fiction, Morton’s most recent book, Dog Tags Yapping (Southern Illinois University Press, 2003) was a collection of letters he wrote and sent home as an 18-year old soldier in World War II. The letters chronicle his experiences through training, combat, convalescence, and occupation duty to the end of the war. He was discharged in December 1945 and received the Purple Heart.

As Thomas Berger, author of Little Big Man notes, “This collection is the most eloquent writing I have ever read on the war.” Morton’s 1943 letter – “This week they are teaching us to kill.” – was selected by Andrew Carroll for his anthology War Letters, Extraordinary Correspondence From American Wars (Scribner, 2001).

Aside from writing, Morton also acted as an editor for The Pushcart Prize, Best of the Small Presses, an anthology published yearly since 1976. Previously, he was one of the founding members of an organization which promoted American literary magazines, and eited his own literary magazine titled First Person.

Morton’s books, fiction and non-fiction, are available in the local author collection at the Palisades Library.

On November 4, Katie Elevitch dedicated her concert at the Palisades Presbyterian Church to his memory.