James J. Murray

Vietnam War

Jim Murray was born in Carroll, IA on June 4, 1951, to LaVern and Rita (known as Margaret) (Langel) Murray. Jim attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Kuemper High School with the class of 1970. He worked with his father on the family farm.

Jim was inducted into the US Army on February 25, 1971, along with a long-time classmate Darrell David. The US Army had recently stopped assigning serial numbers and used Social Security numbers for identification. Both men were sent to Fort Leonard Wood, MO for basic training. By March 16, 1971, Jim was a member of the Sp. Training Company, Basic Combat Training Com GP.

On April 3, 1971, Jim joined the 4th Platoon, Company E, 5th Battalion of the 2nd Basic Training Brigade and completed his basic training with this unit. On June 10, 1971, Jim received an early honorable discharge from the US Army at Fort Leonard Wood with the rank of Private (E-2).

Jim returned to Carroll County and farming on the family farm southeast of Templeton. He died at home of an apparent heart attack on June 26, 1993 at age 42. He never married. He was buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Templeton.