MURREY, TRACY HENRY
MURREY, TRACY HENRY (MIA)
First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army
Company C, 4th Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne
Brigade (Separate),
Date of Action: November 20, 1967
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Tracy
Henry Murrey, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism
in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile
force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 4th Battalion
(Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate). First
Lieutenant Murrey distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20
November 1967 while serving as platoon leader of an airborne infantry unit
during a search and destroy mission on Hill 875 at Dak To. A sister company had
been pinned down by fierce enemy rocket, mortar and automatic weapons fire while
assaulting the heavily fortified hill and Lieutenant Murrey fearlessly led his
platoon through a curtain of fire to strengthen the right flank of the
beleaguered force. Repeatedly exposing himself to the withering barrage, he
positioned his men and directed a deadly fusillade against the enemy bunkers. He
quickly determined the location of the heaviest fire and led his men in an
aggressive assault on the hill. Inspiring his men by his calmness and
determination in the face of the murderous enemy fire, he succeeded in leading
his force across seventy-five meters of open ground toward the Viet Cong
trenches before he was forced to momentarily withdraw under overwhelming hostile
firepower. Quickly regrouping his forces, he led another fierce assault which
swept to within fifteen feet of the enemy positions. He then hurled two hand
grenades inside the nearest bunker. Other North Vietnamese soldiers, in nearby
fortifications, saw his devastating attack and concentrated their fire on him.
He was mortally wounded while gallantly leading his men in the heat of battle.
First Lieutenant Murrey's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the
cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military
service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States
Army.
HQ US
Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 400 (January 27, 1968)
Home Town: Miles City, Montana
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