Michael Francis Murray, Jr.

Marine Corps Regular | Service Number 356406

Born

October 13, 1919
in Gary, IN

Parents

Michael Francis Murray, Sr. (d. 1935)
Mary Emma (Lee) Murray

School

Emerson High School (1939)

Pre-War Employment

Carnegie Steel Company

Entered Service

February 9, 1942
at Indianapolis, IN

Joined First Battalion

February 23, 1943
from Casual Company, MCB Quantico

Left First Battalion

March 3, 1945
Killed in action at Iwo Jima

Left Service

March 3, 1945
Killed in action

Home Address and Next of Kin

300 Main Street, Hobart IN – address of mother, Mrs. Mary Murray

Service & Campaigns

Before joining battalion

Boot camp at Parris Island; outposted to Guard Company, Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL. Transferred to Navy Yard New York, NY; embarked on British ship “Strathallan” on 26 September 1942 and sailed to Gourock, Scotland for assignment to Naval Operating Base Rosneath.

Duty at Rosneath from 30 October 1942 through 21 January 1943, at which time transferred to Marine Base Quantico, Virginia.

Joined Charlie Company, First Separate Battalion (Reinforced) on 23 February 1943.

Roi-Namur

Outfit: C/1/24th Marines
Rank: Sergeant
MOS: 607 (Mortarman)

Campaign Narrative

Saipan

Outfit: C/1/24th Marines
Rank: Sergeant
MOS: 653 (Squad Leader)

Campaign Narrative

Tinian

Outfit: C/1/24th Marines
Rank: Sergeant
MOS: 653 (Squad Leader)

Campaign Narrative

Iwo Jima

Outfit: C/1/24th Marines
Rank: Platoon Sergeant
MOS: 737 (Rifle NCO)
Important Events:
March 3, 1945 – killed in action (gunshot, head) while attacking Japanese pillbox. Awarded posthumous Navy Cross for actions on this date:

For extraordinary heroism as a Rifle Platoon Leader, serving with Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 3 March 1945. Courageously leading his platoon across difficult terrain to outflank a strongly-entrenched enemy position, Platoon Sergeant Murray spearheaded a hand grenade and rifle assault upon two Japanese pillboxes and succeeded in demolishing one, but at the cost of severe casualties to his platoon from the devastating machine-gun fire. Repeatedly exposing himself to the continued heavy fire while directing the evacuation of his wounded men, and aware of their immediate need for first aid from the corpsman, he went to the assistance of a stricken man who was lying helpless directly in front of the hostile strongpoint, after leaving instructions that no attempt to rescue him should be made if he should fail. Boldly charging the Japanese machine gun, he put it out of action with his deadly fire and, although mortally wounded himself in this gallant assault, made possible the safe evacuation of his wounded comrade. Platoon Sergeant Murray’s valiant actions, inspiring leadership and concern for the safety of his fellow Marines were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

March 10, 1945 –

Campaign Narrative