1. Major General Raymond Leroy Murray 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.
18 Facts About Raymond Murray
1. 2.
Raymond Murray retired from active duty on August 1,1968.
3.
Raymond Murray was the inspiration for the battalion commander in Leon Uris's 1953 novel Battle Cry.
4.
Raymond Murray was promoted to first lieutenant in August 1938.
5.
Raymond Murray later graduated from the British Force Tactical School.
6.
In October 1942, Major Raymond Murray embarked with the 6th Marines for the Pacific theatre.
7.
Raymond Murray was promoted to lieutenant colonel in June 1943.
8.
Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Murray was awarded a second Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry while commanding the same unit on Tarawa in November 1943.
9.
Raymond Murray returned to Quantico in July 1948 for temporary duty on the Marine Corps Board at Marine Corps Schools.
10.
Raymond Murray was 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.
11.
Colonel Raymond 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.
12.
Raymond Murray was promoted to brigadier general in June 1959.
13.
General Raymond Murray departed for Okinawa, Japan, in July 1959, assuming duties as assistant division commander, 3rd Marine Division, in August 1959.
14.
Raymond Murray served in the latter capacity until June 1962.
15.
Raymond Murray returned to the United States in February 1968 and entered the US Naval Hospital at Bethesda, Maryland, where he remained until he retired from active duty on August l, 1968.
16.
Raymond Murray died in 2004 and was buried in Oceanside's Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery.
17.
When his battalion, maneuvering into a position in the vicinity of the Pha River and the Coast Road, suddenly encountered withering fire from an enemy strong point, Major Raymond Murray, with inspiring leadership and utter disregard for his own personal safety, directed the hazardous advance of his troops to their post and committed them to action.
18.
Raymond Murray's actions contributed materially to the success of this operation and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.