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Capt. John D. Murray
Navy Cross Citation
"For extraordinary heroism as the Commanding Officer, Company M, Third Battalion,
Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in the Quang Tin Province, Republic of
Vietnam. On 4 September 1967 during Operation SWIFT, Captain (then First Lieutenant)
Murray's company was moving to reinforce elements of the First Battalion when the lead
platoon suddenly came under heavy small-arms and automatic weapons fire and mortar attack
from a numerically superior and well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army force. Immediately
assessing the situation, he deployed a reinforcing platoon forward, exposing himself so as
to observe and control the fire and movement of all elements of his company. When the
commander and key noncommissioned officers of the lead platoon became casualties, he
quickly reorganized the unit, establishing strong defensive positions. Skillfully calling
in close air support and accurate mortar and artillery fire, he forced the North
Vietnamese to withdraw and launched an aggressive attack which took their positions. After
recovering all the casualties, he arranged for their evacuation and consolidated his
company position into a night defensive perimeter. On the nights of 6 and 10 September
1967, when companies of his battalion were surrounded and heavily engaged with the North
Vietnamese, Captain Murray skillfully led his company to relieve the beleaguered
companies. As a result of his bold initiative and aggressive fighting spirit, he
undoubtedly saved many Marines from further injury, capture or possible death. By his
superior professional skill, courageous leadership and selfless devotion to duty at great
personal risk, Captain Murray was instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous
missions and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval
Service."
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