Edward Morris Murray – Commander, United States Navy

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Edward Morris Murray was born on August 7, 1902, in Magnolia, Massachusetts, the son of Dr. Thomas Morris Murray and Eleanor Vinton Clark Murray.

He attended St. George’s School, Newport, Rhode Island. Being gifted with artistic talents, he became a portrait painter, first in London, then in New York, after studying art in Paris.

After the United States entered World War II, he applied for a commission in the United States Army Air Corps and was appointed First Lieutenant on July 30, 1942.  He was assigned to the Pentagon, and plied his profession in painting the portraits of many high ranking American and British officers, including President Roosevelt. He was promoted to Captain. After General Arnold directed that the AAF would no longer support portrait painting, Captain Murray, AC, AUS, became Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy Reserve, on September 2, 1943. Since his specialty was quite unique, the Navy, not quite sure where he belonged, assigned him to the Hospital Corps.

He spent most of his time at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Aiea Heights, Territory of Hawaii. He continued to paint portraits as well as various medical subjects.

In December of 1945 he was assigned to the Separation Center at Washington. While on terminal leave, Commander Murray died at the Naval Air Station Miami on April 23, 1946.

He was awarded the American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.

MAY 17 1946
COMMANDER EDWARD MORRIS MURRAY H(S) , UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE, ACTIVE, DECEASED
Re:  Service of
1902 Aug  7 Born in Magnolia, Massachusetts. 
U.S. ARMY SERVICE: 
1942 Jul 30 ppointed First Lieutenant, Army of the United States
1943 bef May 1  Promoted to Captain, A.C.
1943  Sep  1 Honorably discharged to accept an appointment in the U.S. Navy.
OFFICER SERVICE
1943  Sep 2 Accepted appointment and executed oath of office as Lieutenant Commander, H-V(S), U.S. Naval Reserve, to rank from 31 August
1943. Sep  4  Reported to Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. for temporary duty.
1944 Jun 20 Detached from Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. and ordered to TWELFTH Naval District, San Francisco, California for transportation to FOURTEENTH Naval District, Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii.
Jun 26 Reported to Medical Officer in Command, U.S. Naval Hospital, Aiea Heights, Territory of Hawaii for duty.
1945 Feb 22 Classification changed to H(S) in accordance with BuPers Circular Letter 298-44.
 Apr 28  Detached from  U.S. Naval Hospital, Aiea Heights, Territory of Hawaii and ordered to Bureau of Naval Personnel, Navy Department,
Washington, D.C. for temporary duty. Reported 3 May 1945.
 May 19 Detached from Bureau of Naval Personnel and ordered to U.S. Naval  Hospital,  Aiea Heights, Territory of Hawaii for duty.  Reported
22 May  1945.
Nov 21 Appointed Commander, H(S), for temporary service in U.S. Naval Reserve, to rank from 5 November 1945.  ALNAV 383-45.
Dec 9  Ordered detached from  U.S. Naval Hospital, Aiea Heights, Territory of Hawaii and to Separation Center, Washington, D.C.
 
Medals:   American Area Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Died: 23 April 1946 (On terminal leave)
Place: U.S. Naval Air Station, Miami, Florida (U.S. Area)
Cause:  Not enemy action

  • MURRAY, EDWARD MORRIS
  • COMMDR US NAVAL RESERVE
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 10  SITE 10780
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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