World War II Honoree

Ronald I. Murray

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Portland, Maine

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: 1ST LIEUTENANT. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY MARCH 19, 1941 AT PORTLAND, MAINE. AFTER PARATROOPER TRAINING, HE SERVED AS COMMANDER OF THE 3RD PLATOON, B-COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 501ST PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF HOLLAND, CODE NAME: OPERATION MARKET GARDEN AND JUMPED INTO THE AREA NEAR ARNHEM THE DESIGNATED DROP ZONE. KILLED IN ACTION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1944 BY GERMAN GROUND FIRE IN THE VICINITY OF DRIEL, HOLLAND DURING THE BATTLE OF OPHEUSDEN, NETHERLANDS CAMPAIGN. HE IS BURIED IN THE ARDENNES AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT NEUPRE (NEUVILLE-EN-CONDROZ), BELGIUM. DECORATION AND CITATION: THE LIEUTENANT WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART FOR HIS SUPREME SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF HIS COUNTRY.