A Great-Granddaughter’s Collection

Major General Raymond Leroy Murray (January 30, 1913 – November 11, 2004 ‘Veterans Day’) was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps officer, who earned a reputation as an exemplary combat leader. Serving first in Shanghai during the Sino-Japanese War in 1937, he later led Marines in World War II Pacific campaigns at Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Saipan. He also participated in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Author Leon Uris served as a communications specialist in Murray’s WWII battalion and used his experiences there as the basis for his best-selling 1953 novel Battle Cry, which subsequently became a motion picture screenplay. In both works, Officer Murray was the model for Uris’ hard-charging Marine battalion commander, Lt. Col. Sam “High Pockets” Huxley. Thus earning Officer Murray the nickname “Highpockets”.

On July 9, 1935, following graduation from Texas A&M College, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. 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 Peking. He was promoted to first lieutenant in August 1938. He was promoted to captain in March 1941 and in May 1944, Captain Murray sailed for duty in Iceland with the 6th Marines (Reinforced), 1st Provisional Marine Brigade. In May 1942, he was promoted to major. In October 1942, Major Murray embarked with the 6th Marines for the Pacific theater. He was cited for conspicuous gallantry on Guadalcanal in January 1943, as commander of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, and 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. 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 and a Purple Heart on June 15, 1944.

Returning to the United States in August 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Murray entered the Command and Staff School at Quantico. In October 1946, he departed for duty in the Pacific as deputy chief of staff, Headquarters Marine Garrison Forces, Pacific, and the following April was named Inspector of Marine Garrison Forces. 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 and the Legion of Merit during action in August and September 1950. 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 to Hamhung, from the Chosin Reservoir area. His actions in combat earned him his second Navy Cross. In January 1951, with his regiment fighting on the Central Korean front, he was promoted to the rank of colonel.

In July 1954, he was ordered to the Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton and remained there for 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. Later in 1959, General Murray departed for Okinawa, Japan, and assumed the duties of assistant division commander, 3rd Marine Division. 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 that capacity until June 1962. On July 1, 1962, he began a two-year assignment as commanding general, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. While serving in this capacity, he was promoted to major general on February 1, 1963.

In October 1967, he began his last overseas tour of active duty as deputy commander, III Marine Amphibious Force in South Vietnam. He returned to the United States in February 1968 and entered the U.S. Naval Hospital at Bethesda, Maryland, where he remained until he retired from active duty on August 1, 1968.

The general’s medals and decorations includes: the Navy Cross with Gold Star in lieu of a second award; the Army Distinguished Service Cross; the Silver Star Medal with Gold Star and two Oak Leaf Clusters in lieu of second through fourth awards; the Legion of Merit with Combat “V”; the Purple Heart; the Presidential Unit Citation with three bronze stars indicative of second through fourth awards; the China Service Medal; the American Defense Service Medal with Base Clasp; the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four bronze stars; the American Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; the Korean Service Medal with four bronze stars; the United Nations Service Medal; the Korean Ulchi Medal with Gold Star; three Korean Presidential Unit Citations; and the Vietnam Service Medal with one star.

Murray gave an oral interview as part of the Marine Corps Oral History Program and received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Paul X. Kelley, in June 1986. He died in 2004 and was buried in Oceanside’s Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery. He is best remembered for a quotation he made during the Korean War. Murray, during the evacuation from the Chosin Reservoir, told his 5^th regiment that they would fight as the rearguard out of the mountains. He explained: “We’ll hold our present positions until the Seventh Marines clear the perimeter and are on the road to Koto-ri. Then we’ll come out …and when we come out, we’re bringing our wounded, our dead and our equipment with us…” He raised his voice to make himself heard above the icy wind: “… We were ordered up here, and now we’ve been ordered out, and I tell you now, we’re coming out as Marines or not at all…” This is generally reduced to: “We’re going to take our dead, wounded and equipment when we leave. We’re coming out, I tell you, as Marines or not at all.”
 

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His Award Citations

First Navy Cross
Action Date: June 15, 1944
SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 6067

Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Leroy Murray (MCSN: 0-5127), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Sixth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Saipan, Marianas Islands, on 15 June 1944. Although sustaining two severe and painful wounds which necessitated his crawling from place to place during the initial stages of the landing, Lieutenant Colonel Murray refused to be evacuated and continued to direct the operations of his Battalion until his condition became so serious from pain and loss of blood that he was ordered to return aboard ship by the Regimental Commander. By remaining at his post, seriously wounded though he was, during the initial and crucial stages of the assault, Lieutenant Colonel Murray set a fine example for his officers and men and aided materially in overcoming the handicaps resulting from the heavy initial casualties, thereby contributing materially to the success of the operations. His outstanding courage, determination and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Second Navy Cross
Action Date: December 6 & 7, 1950
Authority: Board of Awards: Serial 1135 (November 19, 1951)

Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Leroy Murray (MCSN: 0-5127), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of the Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 6 and 7 December 1950. Charged with the tremendous responsibility of taking over the perimeter defense of Hagaru-ri, and subsequently pressing the attack to Koto-ri in conjunction with another Marine regiment, (the then) Lieutenant Colonel Murray, with his ranks depleted by casualties and all his officers and men exhausted from several days of fierce fighting in sub-zero temperatures, launched vigorous attacks to the eastward to seize a vital enemy-held ridge and consolidate his positions. Affording protection for the airstrip where approximately one thousand vehicles containing division supplies, ammunition and equipment were assembled, he remained until all the wounded had been evacuated. Before directing his regiment in forming a rear guard for the entire column. Throughout the night, he beat of vicious onslaughts continuously launched by the enemy and, on the following morning, carried out a brilliantly executed counterattack, taking two hundred prisoners and leaving an ineffective and decimated enemy in his wake as he continued on to his destination, arriving that evening with units intact and ready to continue the attack to the south. By his great personal valor, daring combat tactics and superb leadership throughout this bitter offensive and defensive action, Lieutenant Colonel Murray served as a constant inspiration to his regiment in completing this extremely hazardous mission against tremendous odds, and his courageous devotion to duty reflects the highest credit upon himself, his gallant officers and men, and the United States Naval Service.

Distinguished Service Cross
Action Date: November 29 – December 4, 1950
Headquarters, X Corps: General Orders No. 66 (December 15, 1950)

Citation:
The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Leroy Murray (MCSN: 0-5127), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while Commanding the Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 29 November to 4 December 1950. Charged with the tremendous responsibility of taking over the perimeter defense of Hagaru-ri, and subsequently pressing the attack to Koto-Ri in conjunction with another Marine regiment, (the then) Lieutenant Colonel Murray, with his ranks depleted by casualties and all his officers and men exhausted from several days of fierce fighting in sub-zero temperatures, launched vigorous attacks to the eastward to seize a vital enemy-held ridge and consolidate his positions. Affording protection for the airstrip where approximately one thousand vehicles containing division supplies, ammunition and equipment were assembled, he remained until all the wounded had been evacuated before directing his regiment in forming a rear guard for the entire column. Throughout the night, he beat of vicious onslaughts continuously launched by the enemy and, on the following morning, carried out a brilliantly executed counterattack, taking two hundred prisoners and leaving an ineffective and decimated enemy in his wake as he continued on to his destination, arriving that evening with units intact and ready to continue the attack to the south which contributed materially to the successful breakthrough of United Nations Forces in the Chosin Reservoir area and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

First Silver Star
Action Date: January 26, 1943

Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Raymond Leroy Murray (MCSN: 0-5127), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Sixth Marines (Reinforced), in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands, 26 January 1943. 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 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. During the remainder of the day and night he was constantly in the most exposed front lines, despite hostile fire from the trees and concealed foxholes, and, through his splendid courage and excellent tactical skill, his command was responsible for the complete destruction or forced retreat of the enemy. Major Murray’s heroic conduct and valiant devotion to duty contributed greatly to the success of this vital mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Second Silver Star
Action Date: November 24 – 28, 1943
Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 0647

Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Leroy Murray (MCSN: 0-5127), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Sixth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, from 24 to 28 November 1943. Landing his battalion on a separate island to prevent the enemy from escaping from the eastern end of Betio, then under attack by our forces, Lieutenant Colonel Murray fearlessly countered strong hostile resistance when the island was later secured to lead his men in determined attacks against the fanatic Japanese, forcing them to fall back from one island to another until they were destroyed, and the Atoll seized and occupied. By his forceful leadership, his valiant fighting spirit and dauntless courage under fire, Lieutenant Colonel Murray served as an inspiration to his command during the fierce hostilities and contributed materially to the success of our sustained drive against the Japanese in the Pacific War Area. His unwavering devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Third Silver Star
Action Date: September 15, 1950
Headquarters, Far East Command, General Orders No. 50 (October 27, 1950)

Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star (Army Award) to Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Leroy Murray (MCSN: 0-5127), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while commanding the Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the amphibious landing resulting in the capture of Inchon, Korea, on 15 September 1950 in the Inchon-Seoul operation. His actions contributed materially to the success of this operation and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

Fourth Silver Star
Action Date: August 3 – September 6, 1950
Headquarters, Far East Command, General Orders No. 89 (December 26, 1950)

Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star (Army Award) to Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Leroy Murray (MCSN: 0-5127), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations in Korea during the period 3 August to 6 September 1950. While serving as Commanding Officer of the Fifth Marine Regiment, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Colonel Murray displayed exceptional ability in directing the operations of his regiment against organized enemy resistance of superior strength. With complete disregard for his own safety, Colonel Murray made numerous visits to forward elements of his assault battalions to obtain first-hand information necessary for sound tactical judgment in the employment of his regiment. On 11 August, as the regiment was advancing along the road to Sachon, it was halted by heavy enemy fire directed from well concealed emplacements on high ground overlooking the route of movement. Moving up to the front, constantly exposed to enemy small arms fire, Colonel Murray personally directed the tactical employment of his troops until the situation became stabilized. His cool and positive control of the command, fearless determination, and indomitable courage were an inspirational propellant for his valiantly fighting men and furthered the United Nations campaign for peace. Colonel Murray, through his valor and notable proficiency as a combat commander, reflects great credit on himself and the military service.

More to Come