The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Robert Edward Murray (NSN: 0-315070), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron TWENTY-NINE (VF-29), attached to the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Formosa, on 12 October 1944. Flying wingman in a four-plane division on a combat air patrol which sighted two hostile twin-engined bombers a short distance from our Task Group, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Murray unhesitatingly engaged the enemy in fierce combat, destroying one plane with a short accurate burst in his initial run and, intercepting a third bomber, promptly dispatched it in a skillfully executed firing run. His aggressive airmanship, aggressive tactics and devotion t the fulfillment of his duty were important factors in maintaining the security of his own forces and reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Murray and the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant, Junior GradeBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 29 (VF-29)Division:
U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28)Action Date:
February 17, 1945
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert Edward Murray (NSN: 0-315070), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron TWENTY-NINE (VF-29), attached to the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Tokyo, Japan, on 17 February 1945. Flying wing in a four-plane division, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Murray participated in a strike against an important hostile engine plant and, while en route to the target, carried out a determined attack against an intercepting fighter, destroying it in one firing run. After reaching the target, he pressed home an aggressive strafing attack to destroy a twin-engine bomber parked on an adjacent airfield and, later, shot down an attacking enemy fighter. By his airmanship and devotion to duty, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Murray upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert Edward Murray (NSN: 0-315070), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane during action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Ryukyu Islands on 3 April 1945. While flying as wingman in a ten-plane fighter sweep, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Murray aided his group in repelling an attack despite numerically superior hostile fighters and contributed materially to the shooting down in flames of two enemy planes. His skill and devotion to duty in the face of enemy opposition were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
EnsignBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 29 (VF-29)Division:
U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28)Action Date:
October 16, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Ensign Robert Edward Murray (NSN: 0-315070), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as the pilot of a single seater carrier-based fighter plane in Fighting Squadron TWENTY-NINE (VF-29), attached to the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28). On 16 October 1944, in the vicinity of Formosa he was a wingman in an eight plane flight on Combat Air Patrol. Upon sighting a formation of about seventy enemy aircraft he courageously pressed home his attacks in the face of concentrated fire from the enemy bombers and destroyed three bombers and one fighter. His great skill and superb marksmanship contributed greatly to the success of this engagement and were in keeping at all times with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.