RIP Col. Charles P. Murray, Jr.
World War II Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Charles P. Murray died of heart failure last week according to Stars & Stripes. The 23-year-old lieutenant was in the 3rd Infantry Division in December, 1944 as he led his platoon through France;
On Dec. 16, he was leading a platoon of about 35 down a mountain path near the town of Kaysersberg, in northeastern France, when he eyed about 200 Germans attacking another battalion of U.S. troops. Rather than take his men into a position where they would be devastatingly outnumbered, he moved forward alone and radioed for an artillery attack. It missed, and before he could correct the coordinates, he lost the radio signal.
He then began launching grenades, revealing his own position and opening himself to a counterattack. Under heavy fire, he exhausted all the available grenades, according to a 2009 Army news release. He returned to his patrol, grabbed a rifle and returned to his position. He fired with such intensity — taking down 20 enemy soldiers and wounding numerous others — that the Germans began to withdraw, according to the Medal of Honor citation.
Murrayy was later wounded when a German pretending to surrender tossed a grenade and injured Murray’s legs, but he refused to be evacuated until he insured that his platoon would be able to finish their mission.
After the war, he continued his education on the GI Bill, then reenlisted and went on to serve in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Category: Real Soldiers
Another great warrior gone to his final reward . . Rest Colonel . . You’ve earned it . .
That’s Charles P. Murray, Jr. That’s leaves South Carolina with only two living MOH recepients.
RIP Colonel.
In March of 2010 I had the high honor of meeting COL Murray in Reagan National Airport. He was gracious enough to agree to a few minutes of conversation and having his picture taken.
http://texan-in-wisconsin.blogspot.com/2010/03/medal-of-honor-winner.html
RIP Col Murray.
Thank you all for the kind words about my grandfather. He was one of the greatest men I ever met, and one of the very few people that can truely be called a hero. I looked up to him not only because he was my grandfather, but because he embodied all that I ever wanted to be. He was brave, loving, strong, good, and above all these, he was a devoted husband.
I had the honor and priviledge of meeting this great man in Chicago at a Medal of Honor convention. He was especially nice and kind to me and my wife. God Speed!