Victor Munroe Morrel worked at the X-10 Graphite Reactor at Oak Ridge, TN during the Manhattan Project.
A chemical engineer, Morrel worked for the DuPont Company before World War II, first in the rayon division, then in the explosives division. He received a draft deferment during the war.
After training at the Repauno Explosive Works in Gibbstown, New Jersey, Morrel was chief tetryl (an explosive compound) chemist at the Kankakee Ordnance Works near Joliet, Illinois. He also worked on the construction of DuPont’s heavy water plant at Sylacauga, Alabama. He was then sent to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he stayed until he found a place to live in Oak Ridge in September of 1943. Morrel was employed at Oak Ridge until 1945 and worked under Dr. Logan Emlet.
He continued to work for DuPont after the war in the rayon, explosives, and film divisions. Morrel passed away in 1971.
Thanks to Victor’s son, Jake Morrel, for contributing information and photographs for this profile.