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Born: January 14, 1930
Pueblo, Colorado
War: Korea
Rank: Second Lieutenant, U.S.
Marine Corps Reserve, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines,
1st Marine Division (Rein.)
Location of action: Korea
Date of action: February 3, 1953
Medal received from: President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Official Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty as a platoon commander
of Company A, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Although
painfully wounded by fragments from an enemy mortar shell while
leading his evacuation platoon in support of assault units attacking
a cleverly concealed and well-entrenched hostile force occupying
commanding ground, Second Lt. Murphy steadfastly refused medical
aid and continued to lead his men up a hill through a withering
barrage of hostile mortar and small-arms fire, skillfully maneuvering
his force from one position to the next and shouting words of
encouragement.
Undeterred by the increasing intense enemy fire,
he immediately located casualties as they fell and made several
trips up and down the fire-swept hill to direct evacuation teams
to the wounded, personally carrying many of the stricken marines
to safety. When reinforcements were needed by the assaulting
elements, Second Lt. Murphy employed part of his unit as support
and, during the ensuing battle, personally killed two of the enemy
with his pistol. With all the wounded evacuated and the assaulting
units beginning to disengage, he remained behind with a carbine
to cover the movement of friendly forces off the hill and, though
suffering intense pain from his previous wounds, seized an automatic
rifle to provide more firepower when the enemy reappeared in
the trenches.
After reaching the base of the hill, he organized
a search party and again ascended the slope for a final check
on missing marines, locating and carrying the bodies of a machine
gun crew back down the hill. Wounded a second time while conducting
the entire force to the line of departure through a continuing
barrage of enemy small-arms, artillery, and mortar fire, he
again refused medical assistance until assured that every one
of his men, including all casualties, had preceded him to the
main lines. His resolute and inspiring leadership, exceptional
fortitude, and great personal valor reflect the highest credit
upon Second Lt. Murphy and enhance the finest traditions of the
U.S. Naval Service.
Bio:
Raymond Murphy graduated from Pueblo Catholic High School in
1947. He attended Fort Lewis Junior College, Durango, Colorado
A&M, and is a 1951 graduate of Adams State college, Alamosa,
Colorado where he majored in physical education. While in college,
he played varsity football, basketball and baseball.
Murphy enrolled in the Marine Corps Reserve in May 1951, and
entered Officers Candidate School at Parris Island, South Carolina
the following month. Commissioned a second lieutenant in September
1951, he then was ordered to Officers Basic School at Quantico,
Virginia. Completing the course the following February, he was
transferred to Camp Pendleton, California, for advanced training
before embarking for Korea in July 1952. In Korea, he served
with the 5th Regiment of the 1st Marine Division until he was
wounded.
After treatment aboard the Danish hospital ship Jutlandia,
the American hospital ship Repose, and later in Japan, he was
returned to the U.S. Naval Hospital, Mare Island, California
in March 1953. He was promoted to first lieutenant that same month.
Murphy returned to Pueblo after his discharge from the hospital,
and was released from active duty April 7, 1953. He was promoted
to captain on December 31, 1954 and was discharged from the
Marine Corps Reserve on December 28, 1959.
Of Note:
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Murphy has been awarded the
Silver Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, and the Korean Service
Medal with two bronze stars.
Murphy’s 5th Marine regiment is the Marine Corps’
most decorated regiment.
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