In 2017, we posted a Memorial Day tribute to Edward A. McMurray, Jr., one of the “Greatest Generation” and my favorite soldier. Ed went from a small-town Iowa boy to a world traveler on Uncle Sam’s dime, stopping in ports in Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Japan, and tiny islands like Biak in the South Pacific. He would only tell his family that there was a ‘ceremony’ that occurred for those who had never crossed the equator before, but he would not give details… He was in the Army-Air Corps, and worked as an airplane mechanic, possibly because he had some mechanical experience with working at a gas station as a teen.
Like others of his generation, Ed did not talk much about the war, though he was truly disappointed that it did not end all wars, as they had hoped. Although he wanted to go to college to become a doctor, and was an only son, he did not seek a deferment- in fact, the attack at Pearl Harbor made him want to join up right away.
As was said in our previous posts, we are so grateful that Ed made it through World War II and came back to his family and friends. So many were not fortunate enough to come back, some that Ed knew and called “friend.”
Today, on Memorial Day, we honor these soldiers and all the other military personnel who served our country and paid the highest price for our freedom. “Thank you” will never be enough to say for their sacrifice.
Notes, Sources, and References:
- Family treasure chest of photos.
- “Military Monday: Memorial Day and Edward A. McMurray, Jr.”– http://heritageramblings.net/2017/05/29/military-monday-memorial-day-and-edward-a-mcmurray-jr/
- “Veteran’s Day: Honoring Edward A. McMurray, Jr.”– https://heritageramblings.net/2014/11/11/veterans-day-honoring-edward-a-mcmurray-jr/
- “Military Monday: Edward A. McMurray, Jr. in the Pacific Theater of WWII”– http://heritageramblings.net/2014/09/08/military-monday-edward-a-mcmurray-jr-in-the-pacific-theater-of-wwii/
- “Edward A. McMurray, Jr. at the Surrender of Japan, 02 Sep 1945”– http://heritageramblings.net/2014/09/02/edward-a-mcmurray-jr-at-the-surrender-of-japan-02-sep-1945/
- “Sorting Saturday: Armed Forces Day”– http://heritageramblings.net/2016/05/21/sorting-saturday-armed-forces-day/
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