Harry Hobson (Hal) Murray

July 27, 1944

Last week in stating those who had gone to Blanding for induction examination we failed to include Lloyd Robertson and HAL MURRAY. The others were Joe Slovak, Junior Dunson and George Clegg.

September 7, 1944

HAL MURRAY leaves September 25th for induction at Blanding.

September 28, 1944

Five other Flagler county men left here Monday for induction into military service. They are George Clegg, Jerry Slovak, W. L. Dunson, Jr., HAL MURRAY and Lloyd Robertson.

October 19, 1944

A letter from HAL MURRAY at Camp Robinson, Arkansas, tells us that four of the fellows who left here recently at the call of Uncle Sam are all at Robinson. They are, in addition to HAL, W. L. Dunson, Jr., Lloyd Robertson and George Clegg.

The letter was signed by each of the four. It said "This is a letter from four soldiers in the infantry. This soldier life is new for us, but we like it, although we are working very hard. We would like to have the paper sent to one of us, please.

We are all in the same battalion, but in separate companies. George and Hal, however, are in the same company. We have just had some more shots and our arms are quite sore. Tell all hello for us."

December 21, 1944

Also a nice card sent to us by HAL MURRAY for himself and several other fellows at Camp Robinson, Ark.

February 1, 1945

Privates HAL MURRAY, Junior Dunson, George Clegg and Lloyd Robertson, after basic training at Camp Robinson, Ark., are here on a short furlough.

February 8, 1945

Infantrymen HAL MURRAY, George Clegg, Lloyd Robertson and Junior Dunson who trained at Camp Robinson, Ark., and were here on furlough, left this week for Fort Ord, California.

Pvt. HAL MURRAY, who recently enjoyed a furlough here with his parents, spent several days in South Carolina visiting his brother and grandparents.

March 1, 1945

HAL MURRY, Junior Dunson, Joseph Slovak and George Clegg, infantrymen, and who were here on furlough recently, now are getting their mail in care of postmaster, San Francisco.

March 15, 1945

Infantry Privates Junior Dunson, George Clegg and HAL MURRAY are in Hawaii, and Dunson is down with measles.

March 22, 1945

This is one of those weeks when we have very little news about you guys and gals in service. And it means that each of you are too busy winning the war to do much writing. However we have a letter here from HAL MURRAY, he writes:

"Guess by this time you have already learned that we are in the Hawaiian Islands. George Clegg and I had a pass yesterday to town-Honolulu. Had a very nice time. After we arrived there decided to go to the beach - Wakiki. We then went in swimming. Had a good time and started back to Honolulu and whom do you suppose we saw? A Marine named Dexter Knight. Boy, did he look good to us! He seemed just as glad to see us, and we know we were glad to see him.

Please send me The Tribune. If you can't read this address get it from mother.

Give our regards to all the folks back home. Will be back soon."

(Surely glad to learn you and George ran into Dexter. Incidentally, Dexter is now back in the" States, his parents here got a wire from him last Saturday saying he was in California then.)

June 21, 1945

Pvt. HAL MURRAY, with the Tenth Army on Okinawa, was operated on there after having an attack of appendicitis is action. He wrote his father here that he was feeling fine and that he had been able to take a few steps. He also said that they told him that he would be out of action for a couple of months, at least.

August 23, 1945

We are advised that HARRY H. (HAL) MURRAY was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge April 1, on Okinawa. (Congratulations, Hal).

October 4, 1945

Pfc. HAL MURRAY, infantryman who participated in the battle of Okinawa, is now at Pusan, Korea with the army of occupation, so he writes his parents Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Murray, here.

Hal said his outfit landed in Korea on Sept 2-V-J. Day, and that they went in under full battle equipment and with adequate naval and air support, but everything turned out quiet and peaceful.

October 11, 1945

We start off this week with a letter from an infantryman now in Korea. He is HAL MURRAY, son of Mr. and Mrs, H. H. Murray of Bunnell. Hal says:

“Kysoncy, Korea.
September 26, 1945.

Dear Mr. Fuller:

One year ago I, with four others, left Bunnell for the army. One year later finds us all well and happy.

I am in the occupational army now, and we are rounding up the Nips. It is not such a bad job. All you need is a couple of G. I.'s and about 20 Koreans and the job is closed in short order.

Recently I have seen some quite beautiful country. The country is agricultural with a few factories thrown in. The crops they grow here are the same as those at home except for rice, but the crops are not on such a large scale as ours are.

I've had several meals at a local family's home, and the food was very good.

We are guarding a large Japanese ordnance dump which was located at the 'Chosen College for Girls.' It reminded me very much of my college days at Berry.

Just before I left Okinawa I saw Gilbert Higginbotham. Boy, did he look good. I didn't know him at first but when he spoke I could recognize that voice anywhere.

Thanks a million for The Tribune.
HAL MURRAY."

April 11, 1946

MURRAY ON DUTY NOW IN KOREA

Seoul, Korea, Mar. 14 - - Sergeant HARRY H. MURRAY of Bunnell, now with the veteran Seventh Infantry Div. on occupation duty in Korea, has been promoted two grades from Pfc.

With seventeen months service, the 19-year-old Sgt. has served in Hawaii, Saipan, Okinawa and Korea. For outstanding service during the Okinawa battle he was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Good Conduct Medal.

Sgt. Murray was graduated from Bunnell High School with the class of '43, and attended Berry College, Mount Berry, Ga., before joining the Army. He plans to return to college after discharge.

The Sgt. is the son of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Murray.