In 1977, returning from his 57th trip to Moscow as an FBI informant, Morris and Eva were stunned when the plane they were on was ordered back to Moscow immediately. Sensing the worst, the couple prepared for the most dire consequences. Fortunately, the plane was called back only because Communist Party USA head Gus Hall had arrived in Moscow and wanted to meet with Childs. After their meeting, Childs and Eva safely returned to the United States. In 1980, fearful that the Church Commission's investigation had put the Childs' at too much risk, Morris and Eva were given new identities and Operation Solo was shut down. In 1988, Morris was quietly awarded the NAtional Security Medal by FBI Director William Sessions.

Morris Childs died in 1991 and his wife Eva died four years later. He is only now being recognized officially for his contributions as perhaps the most important spy in the history of the United States as he served as the FBI's eyes and ears in the Kremlin for almost forty years.