Robert C. Murray


Robert Charles Murray 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.

Biography

Murray was studying at Harvard Business School when he left early and joined the Army from New York City in 1969. By June 7, 1970, he was serving as a Staff Sergeant in Company B, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade, 23d Infantry Division. On that day, in Hiep Duc District of the Republic of Vietnam, Murray smothered the blast of a booby trapped grenade with his body, sacrificing his life to protect the soldiers around him.
Murray, aged 23 at his death, was buried in Cemetery of the Gate of Heaven, Hawthorne, New York.

Medal of Honor citation

Staff Sergeant Murray's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
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 of 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.