George Dominic Murray (July 6, 1889 – June 18, 1956) was an admiral in the United States Navy and an early naval aviator.

Biography

Murray was born in Boston, Massachusetts, attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1911 and becoming naval aviator number 22 in 1915. At the beginning of 1924, he was the commander of Torpedo and Bombing Squadron 20 (VT-20). In January, his squadron of seaplanes was transferred from San Diego to the Philippines aboard to provide air support for the Asiatic Fleet. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

, Murray commanded the aircraft carrier , from 21 March 1941 to 30 June 1942, which included the

Doolittle Raid The Doolittle Raid, also known as the Tokyo Raid, was an air raid on 18 April 1942 by the United States on the Japanese capital Tokyo and other places on Honshu during World War II. It was the first American air operation to strike the Japa ...

on Tokyo and the

Battle of Midway The Battle of Midway was a major naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II that took place on 4–7 June 1942, six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor and one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea. The U.S. Navy under ...

. From 17 August 1944 to 20 July 1945, he commanded U.S. Naval Air Forces, Pacific Fleet. At the end of the war, Murray was the commander of the Mariana Islands, and accepted the Japanese surrender of the

Caroline Islands The Caroline Islands (or the Carolines) are a widely scattered archipelago of tiny islands in the western Pacific Ocean, to the north of New Guinea. Politically, they are divided between the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) in the ce ...

aboard his flagship, the cruiser . He commanded the First Fleet from August 1947 to August 1948. He retired as a full admiral in 1951, died in

San Francisco, California San Francisco (; Spanish for " Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the fourth most populous in California and 17th ...

, on 18 June 1956, and was buried in

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery is one of two national cemeteries run by the United States Army. Nearly 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres (259 ha) in Arlington, Virginia. There are about 30 funerals conducted on weekdays and 7 held on Sa ...

. In 1961, Murray was posthumously designated the third recipient of the

Gray Eagle Award The Gray Eagle Award is presented to the Naval Aviator on continuous active duty in U.S. Navy or Marine Corps who has held that designation for the longest period of time. A similar trophy, the Gray Owl Award, is also presented to the Naval Fligh ...

, as the most senior active naval aviator from 1947 until his retirement.

Personal life

Murray is the stepfather of Vice Admiral Lloyd M. Mustin, the step grandfather of Vice Admiral Henry C. Mustin, and the step great grandfather of Vice Admiral John B. Mustin.

References

External links

The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia: Murray, George D.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Murray, George D. 1889 births 1956 deaths United States Naval Academy alumni United States Naval Aviators United States Navy admirals United States Navy World War II admirals United States Navy personnel of World War I Members of the Early Birds of Aviation Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States) Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal Recipients of the Legion of Merit Burials at Arlington National Cemetery