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Contact Info
Home Town Charleston
Last Address 350 Cabell Street, Charleston, SC 29403
FINAL MISSION OF U.S. ARMY HELICOPTER OH-13S TAIL NUMBER 63-09084 - At 1600 hours on April 7, 1968, 1LT McMurray was the pilot of an OH-13S helicopter, tail number 63-9084, with one observerdoor gunner, SGT James J. Powers. The aircraft departed the 1st Air Cavalry Division base at Landing Zone Stud with an AH-1G armed helicopter escort for a reconnaissance mission in the support of an operation. 1LT McMurray was flying low-level when he reported seeing several recently-repaired weapons positions and freshly used trails. 1LT McMurray marked the location with a smoke grenade to allow the AH-1G to identify and fire rockets on the target. He also reported sighting NVA soldiers, whom he engaged. The escort helicopter continued to place suppressive fire in the area, and transmitted a request for a rifle platoon which was launched and was over the area in about 15 minutes. During the fighting, 1LT McMurray's aircraft received enemy fire, began burning in flight, and crashed. SGT Powers, badly burned, was recovered some distance from the aircraft, but McMurray was not. At that time, efforts to locate McMurray were thwarted by the intense heat from the burning aircraft. The next day search teams could find no trace of him. However, one American boot-print was seen, along with McMurray's chest protector and helmet. Because there was no trace of him in the helicopter, his family feels there is every reason to believe he was captured. McMurray is among nearly 2500 Americans still prisoner, missing or otherwise unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. When the war ended and 591 Americans were released in 1973, military experts expressed their dismay that 'some hundreds' of POWs were not. Since that time, thousands of reports have been received, indicating that many Americans are still being held against their will in Southeast Asia. Whether McMurray is among them is not known. What is certain, however, is that if only one American remains alive in enemy hands, we owe him our best effort to bring him home. Fred McMurray attended Porter Military Academy and graduated from Clemson University in 1966. [Taken from vhpa.org and pownetwork.org]
Other Comments:
Citation to Accompany the Silver StarMedal awarded to Fred H. McMurray by direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 9 July 1918, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant McMurray distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 10 March 1968, while serving as a pilot of an armed observation helicopter during a reconnaissance mission in Phong Dein, Republic of Vietnam. Upon detecting large enemy concentrations, Lieutenant McMurray, disregarding his own safety, exposed himself to the hostile ground fire as he hovered his aircraft over enemy positions, enabling the observer to successfully engage the hostile force. Disregarding his own safety, he maneuvered over the enemy, placing suppressive fire and marking the positions for friendly ground troops. His courageous action inflicted numerous casualties on the enemy force and contributed greatly to the successful completion of the ground element's mission. Lieutenant McMurray's gallant action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Citation to Accompany the Distinguished Flying Cross awarded to Fred H. McMurray by direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 2 July 1926, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant McMurray distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 31 January 1968, while serving as a pilot of an armed helicopter, during a reconnaissance mission in the Republic of Vietnam. While flying at low altitude over enemy controlled terrain, First Lieutenant McMurray observed and engaged a large and well entrenched enemy force. During the action First Lieutenant McMurray made numerous passes over the insurgent's positions and placed a large volume of effective suppressive fire against them. Disregarding his own safety, First Lieutenant McMurray braved the intense ground fire and neutralized the insurgent's fighting ability and contributed greatly to the successful completion of his unit's mission. His outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
