Four Inducted into ROTC Hall of Fame
The St. Bonaventure University Seneca Battalion announced the induction of four new members into its Army ROTC Hall of Fame during a ceremony Saturday, March 15, in the Rigas Family Theater on campus. The Hall of Fame honors distinguished graduates and individuals of the St. Bonaventure community who have served their country with the utmost duty and valor. This year’s distinguished inductees are Lt. Col. James M. DiRisio (Ret.), ’86, Col. David W. Hazen (Ret.), ’63, Col. Thomas G.B. Kane (Ret.), ’80 and Col. Lois (Rappl) Morales (Ret.), ’82 (a friend of mine).
Lois M. (Rappl) Morales was born in Rochester, graduating from Bishop Kearney High School before attending Monroe Community College. She transferred to St. Bonaventure as a junior, and like her father, Norbert J. Rappl, ’52, enrolled in Army ROTC. She was graduated from St. Bonaventure with a bachelor’s degree in economics and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Ordnance branch. She completed the Ordnance Officer Basic Course at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., and was graduated from the U.S. Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. In March 1983, she reported to Kaiserslautern, Germany, where she served as a staff supply officer and protocol officer during the first part of her tour, then became a platoon leader and later executive officer of the 903rd Maintenance Company. During her final year in Germany, she was the maintenance management officer of the 87th Maintenance Battalion, having been promoted to first lieutenant and captain while on active duty. Morales left active duty in June 1987 and became a U.S. Army Reserve Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) Material Officer for the Army Logistics Center, Fort Lee, Va. In 1992, she became the S1 of the 320th Military Police Battalion in Ashley, Pa. A brief reassignment to the Control Group followed and in February 1995, she began her long-term association with the 75th Division (Exercise). Her first assignment with the 75th Division was as the senior simulation coach in the division’s 1st Brigade, Houston, Texas. Promoted to major in October 1997, she was assigned as secretary to the General Staff and, in May 1999, was selected as the Chemical Team Chief, 4th Brigade, 75th Division in Houston. In September 2000, she became commandant of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 75th Division, serving in that capacity until August 2002. She was promoted to lieutenant colonel in June 2002 and was selected to command 1st Battalion (Logistics Support), 382nd Regiment, 75th Division at Fort Sill, Okla.
She was the first woman to command a battalion in the 60-year history of the 75th Division and mobilized with it from January to November 2003, when she was responsible for the training of soldiers deploying from CONUS for the Global War on Terror. Following her highly successful battalion command, Morales became the deputy G4 of the 75th Division till 2007. Following her promotion to colonel, Morales is presently a Simulation Team Chief in 1st Battle Command Training Brigade. She and her husband, Col. James Morales, live in Dallas with their three sons, Dustin, Kyle, and Karl. In addition to the Ordnance Officer Basic and Basic Airborne Courses, Morales is a graduate of the NBC School, the Ordnance Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School and Command and General Staff College. She is also member of the Army War College Class of 2008 and due to graduate in July. Her awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal (1 Bronze Service Star), Global War on Terror Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Bronze Hourglass and M Device), Silver Hour Glass, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, and German Proficiency Badge.
Lois M. (Rappl) Morales was born in Rochester, graduating from Bishop Kearney High School before attending Monroe Community College. She transferred to St. Bonaventure as a junior, and like her father, Norbert J. Rappl, ’52, enrolled in Army ROTC. She was graduated from St. Bonaventure with a bachelor’s degree in economics and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Ordnance branch. She completed the Ordnance Officer Basic Course at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., and was graduated from the U.S. Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. In March 1983, she reported to Kaiserslautern, Germany, where she served as a staff supply officer and protocol officer during the first part of her tour, then became a platoon leader and later executive officer of the 903rd Maintenance Company. During her final year in Germany, she was the maintenance management officer of the 87th Maintenance Battalion, having been promoted to first lieutenant and captain while on active duty. Morales left active duty in June 1987 and became a U.S. Army Reserve Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) Material Officer for the Army Logistics Center, Fort Lee, Va. In 1992, she became the S1 of the 320th Military Police Battalion in Ashley, Pa. A brief reassignment to the Control Group followed and in February 1995, she began her long-term association with the 75th Division (Exercise). Her first assignment with the 75th Division was as the senior simulation coach in the division’s 1st Brigade, Houston, Texas. Promoted to major in October 1997, she was assigned as secretary to the General Staff and, in May 1999, was selected as the Chemical Team Chief, 4th Brigade, 75th Division in Houston. In September 2000, she became commandant of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 75th Division, serving in that capacity until August 2002. She was promoted to lieutenant colonel in June 2002 and was selected to command 1st Battalion (Logistics Support), 382nd Regiment, 75th Division at Fort Sill, Okla. She was the first woman to command a battalion in the 60-year history of the 75th Division and mobilized with it from January to November 2003, when she was responsible for the training of soldiers deploying from CONUS for the Global War on Terror. Following her highly successful battalion command, Morales became the deputy G4 of the 75th Division till 2007. Following her promotion to colonel, Morales is presently a Simulation Team Chief in 1st Battle Command Training Brigade. She and her husband, Col. James Morales, live in Dallas with their three sons, Dustin, Kyle, and Karl. In addition to the Ordnance Officer Basic and Basic Airborne Courses, Morales is a graduate of the NBC School, the Ordnance Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School and Command and General Staff College. She is also member of the Army War College Class of 2008 and due to graduate in July. Her awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal (1 Bronze Service Star), Global War on Terror Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Bronze Hourglass and M Device), Silver Hour Glass, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, and German Proficiency Badge.
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