Colonel John R. Murray, USAF, Retired

Colonel John Robert Murray, (Ret.) USAF, of Upper Marlboro, MD died on July 9, 2019 at the age of 93. Born in Dorchester, MA to Margaret Lappen Murray and James Phillips Murray, Sr. Colonel J. Murray began his thirty-five year career as a seventeen year old volunteer in World War II. He was accepted as an aviation cadet, a midshipman in the US Navy. He soloed in the bi-plane (U-2-S), Stearman “Kaydet” but the war ended before he graduated or could be commissioned. He had two Navy terms at Williams College and flight training at Pensacola. Discharged, Bob entered Boston University but having experienced flying, college seemed boring. He confided in Bill Murray, a retired medically discharged cousin, who recommended he not apply to the Navy since without education at Annapolis one might not be placed on a successful career path. Bob entered the Army Air Corps, a cadet and learned to fly again in the “Texan” T-6. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, in February 1949. When the USAF was created, he was transferred into the new branch as a jet pilot, Class of 49-A. The United Nations, with the US as only one of its many members, sent combat units to fight in the “Korean Action”. Qualified as an F-86 “Mustang” pilot, Bob was reassigned to F-80’s and flew his combat missions from Etazuke in Southern Japan over Korea in the F-80’s, his first solo jet. In December 1951, Bob was classified as a “MIA” (missing in action). His parents were telegrammed of his loss. On June 28, 1951 the classification was changed by the US Military from “MIA” to “KIA” (killed in action) then back again at “MIA”. Local Military, at his home awarded a Silver Star to his parents, posthumously. President Harry Truman sent a signed document praising the 1St Lieutenant for dying in service to his country in the action in Korea for the United Nations. Meanwhile, Mrs. Murray, his mother, corresponded with the Secretary General’s office of the United Nations in New York. She had received pieces of mail in her son’s own handwriting. She asked for clarification of her son, Bob’s, status. 1st Lieutenant Murray was abruptly released in September 1954. He returned to the US across the Pacific Ocean in the Army’s ship. General Brewster handled debriefing and getting Bob’s physicals during the long voyage. At “camp” (but Bob referred to it as jail), he was given a bundle of his mother’s letters (undelivered before) and writings of Mom. He was delivered on a train trestle since no treaty was achieved by his Chinese captors, North Korea and the many countries of the United Nations. Bob felt a sense of distrust of the United Nations. He was taken to Japan for departure to the United States. From there he wired his family, and his parents and his sister flew to San Francisco, CA and were waving on the dock as he arrived. Bob said the greatest high of his life was to be “free again”. With back pay accumulated, he purchased a new car. They drove through America’s Parks in the West; the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, the famous Donner Pass, and towards home in Boston, MA. On Sunday, October 4th, the Veterans of his Brookline neighborhood welcomed him back with a parade and program held in Brookline High School. Bob felt his family, especially his devout mother, had suffered during his absence. His family had even had a memorial service and received hundreds of condolence letters and cards, phone calls and masses said for him too. He requested that he be assigned near his family at a test squadron at Hanscom. In the coming years Bob became proficient in a dozen jet aircraft and had completed staff level training schools, returned to college in an active duty approved program called “Bootstrap”. He relocated briefly and completed his academic education in two terms at the University of Omaha, Nebraska in June 1959. At this point in his career, Bob had attained the status of Captain. Bob became proficient in the RFIOI, the Voodoo. This was an aerial photo reconnaissance place with Hasselblatt cameras. He moved to France, Toul Air Force base in Toul-Rosieres, living in the villages of Novéant and Pont-à-Mousson in Meurthe-et-Moselle. Bob flew “Cold War” style reconnaissance. After a year each in France and Germany’s Ramstein AF Base he returned to the United States to be Director of Reconnaissance at Tactical Air Command Headquarters at Langley AF Base in Hampton, Virginia. He was rewarded with promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. Bob was sent back to Europe this time with an additional mission: to drop nuclear weapons if there was authorization to arm them. When I learned of that much later, he said to me that he took the responsibility very seriously and gave it long consideration, it was also suicidal as you could not exit the area fast enough to escape the blast. He flew missions over France, Germany, The United Kingdom and Libya. He lived in Germany near Ramstein AF Base in the village of Weierbach, not too distant from Kaiserslautern, a few hours north of Strasbourg, France. During this time he commanded the winning American unit which won NATO Reconnaissance competition “Royal Flush”. He accepted the trophy in a NATO ceremony. Participants: RAF, Canadian and USAF pilots and West German pilots. While at NATO he was awarded the Joint Service Medal and promoted to full Colonel. One of his bosses was a famous former “Ace” in World War II, Oberst Raul, and a German. The war in Vietnam had begun. Because he had been a P.O.W. he was excused from returning to combat zone in any communist country. You are protected by the Geneva Convention until you do so. However he signed a waiver and volunteered for service in South East Asia in 1972. From June 1972- June 1973 he was Director of Reconnaissance/ Electronic Warfare at Seventh Air Force Headquarters, Ton Sun Nut. He was awarded the Bronze Star. He also flew combat missions in the small observer plane, the OV-10. Mrs. Murray insisted me and the children stay in Hampton, Virginia. She was very worried about their son, which was a difficult time for her. (Pilots wives did not think about it) His next tour of duty was in US Base Andrews in the Washington, D.C. area in 1973 at Air Research Development Command as a Director. It was very soon to be the beginning of a post war era. There he flew the final time in the “Thunderbird”. (T-33) an older jet. Saying goodbye to flying “his first love” was emotional. There was strong antiwar and anti-military sentiment. Civilians ignored his title of “Colonel” and called him Mister. With all the hostility on its pages, he cancelled home delivery of the “Washington Post”. He accepted his new assignment as Program Director of the Drone Program (Their drones were called Remotely Piloted Vehicles and had a five year budget of $660 millions). He received the “Legion of Honor” for this service. He choose to retire on April 1, 1978 He alternated in positions and responsibilities at Hancorn and Otis, both are bases “near” his family in Brooklyn. He once flew, or escorted by, “Chuck” “Yeager” in a yet-to-be-approved plane model. He used personal time to enjoy racing cars. He kept this a secret from his mother and father so they would not worry about his safety. He never parked it at home nor drove it on the street, he tailored it. He drove me to Connecticut’s track at “Limerock” once to introduce me to racing. It was terrifying! When we became engaged he put an ad in the “New York Times” to sell their British Aston Martin. He told me it was not a hobby for a married man. On returning from Connecticut we dropped in on Bill and Sari Murray at Hull. So they were the first of his family that I met. Earlier, on return from his time as P.O.W., he ordered a kit and built a boat in his mother’s bedroom. It even blocked her dresser. She never complained. He used the speed boat from a Boston marina, now in the Kennedy Museum Area. He often commuted home at any hour and “Mom” would provide a complete hot meal on a minutes notice. He was 34 when we married and in my personal opinion not very flexible. He spoke for both of us persistently. Persistently, speed and risk were his life. The craft was destroyed in a storm. He used the insurance money to purchase a speed boat which he used from Boston yacht clubs marina now in the Kennedy museums area. Beloved husband of Barbara Murray; Devoted father of John Phillips Murray of Laurel, MD, Jean Ann Alldritt and her husband Barry Alldritt of Broomfield, CO and the late Steven Robert Murray; Dear Grandfather of David John Alldritt and Max Alldritt. Also survived by extended family and friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Col. Murray should be directed to: Cross Catholic Outreach 2700 N. Military Trail Suite 240 PO BOX 273908 Boca Raton, FL 33427-3908 Or Little Sisters of the Poor St. Martin’s Home 601 Maiden Choice Lane Baltimore, Maryland 21228-3630 Phone: 410-744-9367 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Colonel John R. Murray, USAF, Retired please visit our Sympathy Store.