The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Howard Leroy Murray (NSN: 0-154268), United States Naval Reserve, for heroic conduct as third officer of a motor torpedo (PT) boat which was subjected to an aerial attack off the north coast of New Britain on the morning of 17 March 1944. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Murray rendered gallant service throughout the action in which the vessel was sunk.