Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Staff Sergeant Robert Charles Murray was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on June 7, 1970 near the village of Hiep Duc, Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. At the time he was serving with Company B, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Murray was 23 years old.
Murray was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on August 8, 1974, 4 years after the action. Blair House, presented by Vice Pres. Gerald R. Ford to his family.
Murray was born on December 10, 1946 in Bronx County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York, New York. He is buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York.
Murray is one of 274 Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
S/Sgt. Murray distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader with Company B. S/Sgt. Murray's squad was searching for an enemy mortar that had been threatening friendly positions when a member of the squad tripped an enemy grenade rigged as a booby trap. Realizing that he had activated the enemy booby trap, the soldier shouted for everybody to take cover. Instantly assessing the danger to the men of his squad, S/Sgt. Murray unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own safety threw himself on the grenade absorbing the full and fatal impact of the explosion. By his gallant action and self sacrifice, he prevented the death or injury of the other members of his squad. S/Sgt. Murray's extraordinary courage and gallantry, at the cost of his life above and beyond the call to duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (June 7, 1970).
- Age at death: 23
- Resting place: Gate of Heaven Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Robert Charles Murray received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Vietnam War.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: Fordham University
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- December 10, 1946Born in Bronx County, New York
- June 7, 1970Act of valor — near the village of Hiep Duc, Republic of VietnamAge 23. Company B, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division Killed in action.
- August 8, 1974Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyBlair House, presented by Vice Pres. Gerald R. Ford to his family
- Resting placeGate of Heaven CemeteryHawthorne, New York
Biography
Robert Charles Murray (December 10, 1946 – June 7, 1970) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.
From the Wikipedia article “Robert C. Murray”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
