World War II Honoree

Raymond L. Murray

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Oceanside, California

Honored By

Zona Murray

Relationship

Wife

AT THE OUTBREAK OF WWII, ASSIGNED TO THE 2ND MARINE BRIGADE IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. IN MAY 1941, SAILED FOR DUTY IN ICELAND WITH THE 6TH MARINES. RETURNED FROM ICELAND AND EMBARKED WITH THE 6TH MARINES FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS, WHERE HE SAW COMBAT ACTION AT GUADALCANAL, TARAWA AND SAIPAN. RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART FOR WOUND SUSTAINED IN COMBAT. ATTENDED COMMAND AND STAFF SCHOOL IN QUANTICO, VIRGINIA. AFTER BRIEF DUTY AS AN INSTRUCTOR, ASSIGNED TO THE 1ST SPECIAL BRIGADE. HE WAS ASSIGNED DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF, HEADQUARTERS MARINE GARRISON FORCES PACIFIC UNTIL THE END OF HOSTILITIES. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, A NAVY CROSS, 4 SILVER STAR MEDALS, 2 LEGION OF MERIT AWARDS AND THE ARMY DISTINGUISHED CROSS. EARNED THE AMERICAN DEFENSE MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL AND THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION.