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May 8, 2008
United States Medal of Honor Citations - U.S. Army 1st Lt. Charles P. Murray, Jr. - WWII
1st Lt. Charles P. Murray, Jr. was born in Baltimore, MD. and joined the United States Army in Wilmington, DE. as Commander of Company C, 30th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, and shipped out to the front in France.
On December 16, 1944, 1st Lt. Murray was leading a reinforced platoon into enemy territory near Kayersberg, France. Descending into a valley beneath hilltop positions held by our troops, he observed a force of 200 Germans pouring deadly mortar, bazooka, machinegun, and small arms fire into an American battalion occupying the crest of the ridge. The enemy's position in a sunken road, though hidden from the ridge, was open to a flank attack by 1st Lt. Murray's patrol but he hesitated to commit so small a force to battle with the superior and strongly disposed enemy. Crawling out ahead of his troops to a vantage point, he called by radio for artillery fire.
His shells bracketed the German force, but when he was about to correct the range his radio went dead. He returned to his patrol, secured grenades and a rifle to launch them and went back to his self-appointed outpost. His first shots disclosed his position; the enemy directed heavy fire against him as he methodically fired his missiles into the narrow defile. Again he returned to his patrol. With an automatic rifle and ammunition, he once more moved to his exposed position. Burst after burst he fired into the enemy, killing 20, wounding many others, and completely disorganizing its ranks, which began to withdraw.
He prevented the removal of 3 German mortars by knocking out a truck. By that time a mortar had been brought to his support. 1st Lt. Murray directed fire of this weapon, causing further casualties and confusion in the German ranks. Calling on his patrol to follow, he then moved out toward his original objective, possession of a bridge and construction of a roadblock.
He captured 10 Germans in foxholes. An eleventh, while pretending to surrender, threw a grenade, which knocked him to the ground, inflicting 8 wounds. Though suffering and bleeding profusely, he refused to return to the rear until he had chosen the spot for the block and had seen his men correctly deployed. By his single-handed attack on an overwhelming force and by his intrepid and heroic fighting, 1st Lt. Murray stopped a counterattack, established an advance position against formidable odds, and provided an inspiring example for the men of his command.
For displaying supreme courage and heroic initiative, 1st Lt. Charles P. Murray, Jr. was awarded the Medal of Honor.
FSM salutes the memorable achievements of all of our great American military. Visit the Hall of Heroes for additional information about our magnificent American Medal Of Honor recipients.
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