Raymond Murray

Major General Raymond Leroy Murray (January 30, 1913 – November 11, 2004) was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps officer who earned two Navy Crosses, one during World War II and a second during the Korean War.

On July 9, 1935, following graduation from Texas A&M College, he accepted his commission as a Marine second lieutenant.

After completing the Basic School at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in March 1936, Lieutenant Murray joined the 2nd Marine Brigade in San Diego, California.

Embarking with the brigade for China in September 1937, he served for a short time with the 2nd Battalion in Shanghai.

In January 1938, he joined the Marine detachment at the American Embassy in Peiking.

He was promoted to first lieutenant in August 1938.

Upon his return to San Diego in September 1940, he again saw duty with the 2nd Brigade.

While there, he was promoted to captain in March 1941.

That May, Captain Murray sailed for duty in Iceland with the 6th Marines (Reinforced), 1st Provisional Marine Brigade.

He later graduated from the British Force Tactical School.

After the brigade was disbanded, he returned to San Diego in April 1942, and the following month was promoted to major.

In October 1942, Major Murray embarked with the 6th Marines for the Pacific theatre.

For conspicuous gallantry on Guadalcanal in January 1943, as commander of the 2nd Battalion 6th Marines, he was awarded his first Silver Star.

He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in June 1943.

Lieutenant Colonel Murray was awarded a second Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry while commanding the same unit on Tarawa in November 1943.

As a lieutenant colonel on Saipan during World War II, General Murray was awarded his first Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism under fire, June 15, 1944, while commanding the 2nd Battalion 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division.

Serving in this same capacity on Saipan, his heroism in remaining at his post although seriously wounded and continuing to direct his battalion during the initial assault, earned him his first Navy Cross on June 15, 1944.

Returning to the United States in August 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Murray entered the Command and Staff School at Quantico the following month.

After brief duty as an instructor, he was named assistant chief of staff, G-3, 1st Special Marine Brigade, moving with the brigade to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in February 1946.

In October 1946, he departed for duty in the Pacific area as deputy chief of staff, Headquarters Marine Garrison Forces, Pacific, and the following April was named Inspector of Marine Garrison Forces.

He returned to Quantico in July 1948 for temporary duty on the Marine Corps Board at Marine Corps Schools.

Transferred to Camp Pendleton, California in January 1949, Lieutenant Colonel Murray served consecutively as assistant chief of staff, G-4; as commanding officer, 3rd Marine Regiment; and as executive officer, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

During the Korean War, he was twice again cited for extraordinary heroism, earning the Army Distinguished Service Cross during the period of November 29 to December 4, 1950, and a second Navy Cross on December 6 and 7, 1950, as commander of the 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced).

In July 1950, when the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade was formed for duty in Korea, he was ordered overseas with the 5th Marine Regiment which was to be the nucleus for the brigade.

As Commanding Officer, 5th Marines, he was awarded his third and fourth Silver Star Medals (Army) and the Legion of Merit during action in August and September 1950.

With his unit, he participated in the battles of the Naktong River perimeter, Wolmi-Inchon, Seoul and Wonsan; and in the Marine advance north toward the Yalu River.

He was subsequently awarded the Army Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in the 1st Division's historic breakout from the Chosin Reservoir area to the sea at Hamhung, and two days later took part in the action which earned him his second Navy Cross.

Shortly afterward, with his regiment committed to fighting on the Central Korean front, he was advanced to the rank of colonel, in January 1951.

Following his return from Korea, Colonel Murray served from May until August 1951 at Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D. C., then entered the National War College.

On completing the course in June 1952, he saw two years duty as commanding officer, The Basic School, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico.

He was the inspiration for the battalion commander in Leon Uris's 1953 novel Battle Cry.

In July 1954, he was ordered to the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton.

Colonel Murray remained at Camp Pendleton four years, serving first as commanding officer, 1st Infantry Training Regiment, until February 1955; then as chief of staff of the Marine Corps Base, until July 1957.

During his final year there, he was assigned to the 1st Marine Division, serving as Division Inspector, chief of staff, and assistant chief of staff, respectively.

In July 1958, he assumed duties as chief of staff, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune.

He was promoted to brigadier general in June 1959.

General Murray departed for Okinawa, Japan, in July 1959, assuming duties as assistant division commander, 3rd Marine Division, in August 1959.

In July 1960, he reported to Camp Pendleton, as Deputy Base Commander, and subsequently, in March 1961, became commanding general of the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton.

He served in the latter capacity until June 1962.

He retired from active duty on August 1, 1968.