Medal of Honor: Robert C. Murray - Vietnam War - June 7, 1970
Near Hiep Duc, a hidden booby trap turned a routine search into disaster. In the final second, one squad leader gave his life to save every man around him.
June 9, 2026
Name: Robert C. Murray
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Company B, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division (Americal)
Date of Action: June 7, 1970
Location: Near the village of Hiep Duc, Republic of Vietnam
Summary of Action
On 7 June 1970, Staff Sergeant Robert C. Murray displayed extraordinary heroism while serving as a squad leader with Company B, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division during combat operations near the village of Hiep Duc in the Republic of Vietnam.
Murray’s squad had been assigned to locate an enemy mortar position that had been harassing friendly forces. As the soldiers cautiously searched through the hazardous terrain, one member of the patrol accidentally triggered a concealed enemy grenade rigged as a booby trap.
Recognizing the imminent danger, the soldier shouted a warning for everyone to take cover.
The grenade would detonate within moments.
Instantly assessing the situation, Staff Sergeant Murray realized there was no time for the men around him to escape the blast. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, he deliberately threw himself onto the grenade.
His body absorbed the full force of the explosion.
The selfless act cost Murray his life but shielded the other members of his squad from death or serious injury.
By willingly sacrificing himself for his fellow soldiers, Staff Sergeant Robert C. Murray demonstrated the highest ideals of courage, leadership, and devotion to duty. His extraordinary heroism ensured that others would live and reflected the finest traditions of the United States Army.
Medal of Honor Citation
MURRAY, ROBERT C.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near the village of Hiep Duc, Republic of Vietnam, 7 June 1970.
Entered service at: New York, N.Y.
Born: 10 December 1946, Bronx, N.Y.
Citation:
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.
