John F. Murray

World War I

John Murray was born on April 24, 1897, near Templeton to Frank and Anna (Seyller) Murray. Frank had been born in Pennsylvania while Anna was born in Illinois. The family farmed southeast of Templeton.

John’s registration document for the draft was dated March 25, 1918. The Carroll Times reported that, on March 28, 1918, John was turned over to the military police at Camp Dodge as a draft evader. However, the registration document indicates he was born in 1896, not 1897 and may not have been draft eligible. This issue was resolved and Iowa records indicate John was inducted into the US Army on May 25, 1918. He was assigned serial number 2139661. At the end of his service, he received an honorable discharge.

John’s training timeline is unclear. The Templeton Centennial Book indicates he was inducted on March 25, 1918 and received training at Camp Whipple, AZ. This facility near Prescott was set up to service Army General Hospital #20 which treated patients suffering from tuberculosis. Iowa records indicate he was sent to Camp Dodge near Des Moines. The 163rd Depot Brigade was the unit that processed new recruits and provided basic training for the 88th Infantry Division which had been formed at Camp Dodge. After initial training, he was assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion of the 163rd Depot Brigade to prepare new recruits for service.

By late August, 1918, the 88th Infantry Division had shipped out for Europe. The 163rd Depot Brigade then turned its attention to the formation of the new 19th Infantry Division. At this point, John was assigned to Company 2, 1st Battalion of the 163rd Depot Brigade. The 19th Infantry Division was still in training when the Armistice was declared on November 11, 1918, and was never deployed. Soldiers stationed in the US were discharged earlier than those overseas. John was discharged on January 25, 1919, with a 25% disability.

John returned to Templeton and, on November 10, 1921, was married to Chrystal Carper of Gray, IA. The marriage occurred in Yuma, Colorado and John was listed as a resident of Yuma on the marriage license. They returned to Templeton and farming. John died of a heart attack on the family farm on April 1, 1966 at age 68. He was buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Templeton.