Col. Charles P. Murray Jr., who received the Medal of Honor, three Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and the French Legion of Honor for valor in World War II, passed away at his Columbia home Friday. He was 89.
Murray — who spent his later years participating in numerous education, youth and veterans’ programs — was remembered as a humble man who never missed an opportunity to serve his country.
“He was the epitome of the American hero,” said Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston of Charleston, also a recipient of the Medal of Honor. “He was a humble guy. Never self-serving. We all love him and are going to miss him. He’s a loss for the country and certainly for South Carolina.”
Murray died of congestive heart failure six weeks after having a pacemaker implanted, his son Brian Murray said.
“He was taking a nap,” Murray said. “He died at home in his bed.”
He is survived by his wife, Anne, son Brian of Fort Payne, Ala., and daughter Cynthia Anne of Roswell, Ga. Another son, Charles P. Murray III, of Columbia passed away in 2004.
Along with Audie Murphy, with whom he served, Murray was one of the most decorated soldiers in the most decorated division in the U.S. Army.
Read the complete obituary at thestate.com