George D. Murray Explained

George Dominic Murray
Birth Date:6 July 1889
Placeofburial Label:Place of burial
Placeofburial:Arlington National Cemetery
Birth Place:South Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Death Place:San Francisco, California, U.S.
Branch: United States Navy
Serviceyears:1910 - 1951
Rank: Admiral
Commands:First Fleet
Naval Air Force, Pacific

VT-20
Battles:World War I
World War II
Awards:Navy Cross
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit (2)[1]

George Dominic Murray (July 6, 1889  - June 18, 1956) was an admiral in the United States Navy and an early naval aviator.

Biography

Murray was born in Boston, Massachusetts, attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1911, his classmates included Morton Deyo and Harry W. Hill.[2] He became Naval Aviator number 22 in 1915.[3]

At the beginning of 1924, he was the commander of Torpedo and Bombing Squadron 20 (VT-20). In January, his squadron of seaplanes was transferred from San Diego to the Philippines aboard to provide air support for the Asiatic Fleet.[4]

During World War II, Murray commanded the aircraft carrier, from 21 March 1941 to 30 June 1942, which included the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo and the Battle of Midway.[5]

From 17 August 1944 to 20 July 1945, he commanded U.S. Naval Air Forces, Pacific Fleet.[6]

At the end of the war, Murray was the commander of the Mariana Islands, and accepted the Japanese surrender of the Caroline Islands aboard his flagship, the cruiser .[7] [8]

He commanded the First Fleet from August 1947 to August 1948.

He retired as a full admiral in 1951, died in San Francisco, California, on 18 June 1956, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.[5]

In 1961, Murray was posthumously designated the third recipient of the Gray Eagle Award, as the most senior active naval aviator from 1947 until his retirement.

Personal life

Murray is the stepfather of Vice Admiral Lloyd M. Mustin, the step grandfather of Vice Admiral Henry C. Mustin, and the step great grandfather of Vice Admiral John B. Mustin.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Military Times Hall of Valor : Awards for George Dominic Murray . militarytimes.com . 11 October 2010.
  2. Book: Lucky Bag . 1911 . First Class, United States Naval Academy . Nimitz Library U. S. Naval Academy.
  3. Book: United States Naval Aviation 1910-2010 . Mark L. . Evans . Roy A. . Grossnick . II . Chapter 8: History of the Naval Aviator and Designations and Numbers . 192 . 27 January 2016 . U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command . 9781523715565 . 9 July 2020.
  4. Book: Grossnick , Roy A. . United States Naval Aviation 1910-1995 . 58 . 1997 . Naval Historical Center, U.S. Department of the Navy . 9780160491245 . 16 July 2020.
  5. Web site: George D. Murray . earlyaviators.com . 11 October 2010.
  6. Book: Grossnick , Roy A. --> . United States Naval Aviation, 1910-1995. 1997 . 417. Naval Historical Center, U.S. Department of the Navy . 9780160491245 -->,9780160491245 . 9 July 2020.
  7. Web site: Naval History : USS Portland (CA-33) . historycentral.com . 11 October 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071012045801/http://www.historycentral.com/Navy/cruiser/portland.html . 12 October 2007 .
  8. Web site: USS Portland - Surrender of Truk Atoll, 2 September 1945 . ussportland.org . 11 October 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110718140015/http://www.ussportland.org/truk.html . 18 July 2011 . dead .