THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

SP4 Virgil A. Murray was an Ammunition Storage Specialist assigned to the 820th Ordinance Company, 184th Ordinance Battalion. On January 13, 1966, the 184th had just arrived in Vietnam two weeks before, and due to a delay in receiving its equipment, was still moving into its battalion headquarters at the United States Army Support Command, Qui Nhon, headquarters complex in Binh Dinh Province, RVN, to start functioning in the capacity of ammunition distribution. Two days later, Murray became ill and was admitted to the 85th Evacuation Hospital at Qui Nhon. He was medically evacuated to the 106th General Hospital at Kishine Barracks in Yokohama, Japan, and underwent surgery for a duodenal ulcer. Following his operation, he developed a high fever and was found to be suffering from septicemia. His condition deteriorated and he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit where he died on March 17, 1966, from acute peritonitis. Murray's death raised suspicions of a surgical mistake. There were no autopsy facilities at Kishine Barracks, and since the findings of an autopsy could have serious implications for the surgeon or the surgical team, Murray was autopsied at another military base. The procedure was conducted at Johnson Air Station in Iruma, home of the U.S. 7th Field Hospital in Saitama prefecture just north of Tokyo, which had a facility that would meet the standards of a thorough forensic postmortem medical examination. The autopsy found evidence of a small opening in the sutured area around where the ulcer had been. This allowed seepage from the intestines into Murray’s peritoneum through the improperly closed incision, resulting in the peritonitis which precipitated a fatal heart attack, the cause of death listed in his casualty report. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and wetherall.org]

Dear Sp4 Virgil Murray, Thank you for your service as an Ammunition Specialist. The 55th anniversary of the start of your tour just passed. 55 years ago soon is when you became ill. sad. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is the 10th Day of Christmas, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Dear SP4 Virgil Arthur Murray, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say 'thank you'; for America, for those who love you, and for the Sgt's son.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter (son of Sgt. Ardon William Carter, 101st Airborne, February 4, 1966, South Vietnam)

Virgil is buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Colorado Springs, El Paso County,CO.