Name: Raymond G. Murphy
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Unit: Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced)
Place: Korea
Entered Service At: Pueblo, Colorado
Born: Pueblo, Colorado
Status: Survived action
Summary of Action
On 3 February 1953, during combat operations in Korea, Second Lieutenant Raymond G. Murphy was serving as a platoon commander leading an evacuation platoon in support of Marine assault units attacking a cleverly concealed, well-entrenched enemy force holding commanding ground.
Early in the action, Lt. Murphy was painfully wounded by enemy mortar fragments. He refused medical aid and continued up the hill under a withering barrage of mortar and small-arms fire, skillfully maneuvering his platoon from position to position while shouting encouragement to his men.
As casualties mounted, he repeatedly moved up and down the fire-swept slope, personally locating the wounded, directing evacuation teams, and carrying many injured Marines to safety himself. When assault units required immediate reinforcement, Lt. Murphy committed part of his platoon in support and, during the ensuing fight, personally killed two enemy soldiers with his pistol.
With all wounded evacuated and friendly forces beginning to disengage, Lt. Murphy remained behind alone to cover the withdrawal. Armed first with a carbine and later seizing an automatic rifle for greater firepower, he held off enemy forces reappearing in nearby trenches—despite intense pain from his wounds.
After reaching the base of the hill, he organized a search party and climbed the hill again, locating and carrying down the bodies of a missing machine-gun crew. Wounded a second time while leading the entire force back through continued enemy fire, Lt. Murphy again refused medical treatment until he was certain every Marine—living and dead—had safely preceded him to friendly lines.
Medal of Honor Citation
MURPHY, RAYMOND G.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.).
Place and date: Korea, 3 February 1953.
Entered service at: Pueblo, Colo.
Born: 14 January 1930, Pueblo, Colo.
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, 2d 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, 2d Lt. Murphy employed part of his unit as support and, during the ensuing battle, personally killed 2 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 2d Lt. Murphy and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Name: Raymond G. Murphy
