Robert Charles Murray

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Robert Charles Murray, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a squad leader with Company B, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade, America Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Hiep Duc, Republic of Vietnam, on 7 June 1970. Staff Sergeant 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, Staff Sergeant 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 ac?on and self sacrifice, he prevented the death or injury of the other members of his squad. Staff Sergeant 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 United States Army.