From Emory comes news that Ray Walker Murphy has made the famous Emory University Glee Club. . . .that means that' Ray Walker, will spend next summer touring Europe. . don't you all envy him? T ?  [but the next trip wouldn't be as much fun!]

[The Andalusia Star, Andalusia, AL, 04 Nov 1937, Thu, Page 1]

Board One Inducts Ten Into Army
The Men Reported Wednesday
Will Go To Ft. McClenlan [sic] At Anniston

   The following men have been selected by Board One to serve in the United States Army and reported Wednesday. They are to go to Ft McCellan [sic], Anniston: Joel Sidney Bass, Ray Walker Murphy, Hillard Shiver, Marvin Butler, Duley Henderson Douglas, James Earl Locklier, Shelley Lee Bracewell, Willie Daniel Green, John Henry Clanton Cleghorn and Dove Malcom Smith. , Ray Walker Murphy was designated as a group leader.

[The Andalusia Star, Andalusia, AL, 14 Aug 1941, Thu, Page 1]

RAY WALKER MURPHY
REPORTS TO FLYING SCHOOL

   Navigation Cadet Ray W. Murphy, son of Mr. and Mrs. James L. Murphy, Sr., of Andalusia, has reported to the Air Corps Advanced Flying School at Turner Field for the final stage of training as an Aviation Cadet.
   Located on the low rolling plains of picturesque South. Georgia, Turner Field is an Advanced School of the Southeast Air Corps Training Center. One of the few Navigation Schools in the country. "Prepare For Combat" is the motto, Victory is the by-word.

[The Andalusia Star, Andalusia, AL, 16 Apr 1942, Thu, Page 3]

Second Lt Ray Walker Murphy, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Murphy, of this city, and who is serving service in the Mediterranean area has recently been promoted to First Lt. and has also been awarded the distinguished Flying Cross. He is now serving as instructor in training squadron.

[The Andalusia Star, Andalusia, AL, 14 Oct 1943, Thu, Page 1]

Lieut. Ray Walker Murphy, who for the past several months has been in the service in North Africa, has been transferred to Langley Field, Va. according to a message received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Murphy.

[The Andalusia Star Andalusia, AL,.28 Oct 1943, Thu, Page 1]

   Lt. Ray Walker Murphy who has seen service in North Africa and who was in 50 air raids over enemy lines is spending a month furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Murphy.

[The Andalusia Star, Andalusia, AL, 11 Nov 1943, Thu, Page 1]

Lt. Ray Walker Murphy, lately returned from the fighting front in North Africa and in Italy where he served as a member of the Twelfth Air Force was one among seven Alabamians to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Previously Lt. Murphy had been awarded the Air Medal and Nine Oak Leaf Clusters. Lt. Murphy is the son of Judge and Mrs. James L. Murphy of Andalusia and made a brief visit to his home here on his return from service overseas.

[The Andalusia Star, Andalusia, AL, 20 Jan 1944, Thu, Page 1]

Morgan-Murphy Betrothal
    Announcement Is Made

   The approaching marriage of Miss Edwina Morgan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Morgan of Thomasville, to Captain Ray Walker Murphy son of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Murphy of Andalusia is of interest the engagement being announced this morning. (cont'd)

   The bride-to-be graduated cum laude from Alabama College where she was a member of \Lamda Sigma Pi, Kappa Delta Pi, Tri Beta Honorary Scholastic fraternities. During her senior year she was elected one of the College Night leaders and Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. For the past three years she has served as a Hospital Recreation worker with the American Red Cross.
   The groom-elect was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity at Emory University and attended Law School at the University of Alabama. He served with the Army Air Forces as a member of the 97th Bomb Group in the African campaign and is the holder of the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with nine clusters. Upon his discharge he will enroll in Senior Law School at the University of Alabama,

[The Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, Al, 18 Aug 1946, Sun, Page 18]

MISS MORGAN AND CAPT.
    MURPHY ARE WED

   Thomasville, Ala., Sept. 14, The marriage, of Miss Edwina Morgan, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Morgan to Captain Ray Walker Murphy, son of Mrs. and Mrs. J. L. Murphy, of Andalusia, took place at a twilight ceremony on Saturday September 7, at the Baptist church with Dr. John G. Hutchinson, pastor of the church officiating.
   Within the cancel a wealth, of ferns and southern smilax made a background for floor baskets holding white gladioli Wide-spreading candelabra candles were placed at intervals and in the window recesses the length of the stately edifice were lighted tapers in stepped arrangement.
   The musical program was presented by Mrs. J. E. Norred, pianist; Mrs. Roy Kimbrough, vocalist and Mr. Henri Mayton, violinist The violin selections were: "A Dream" Bartlett; "Serenade" Toselli; "O Promise Me" DeKoven; "Evening Star" Wagner; 'To A Wild Rose" McDowell and "Intermezzo;" Mrs. Kimbrough sang "I Love You Truly" Bond and "I Love Thee" Greig, The traditional marches were rendered.
   The ushers were: Dr. J. M. Morgan, brother of the bride; Bonner Patrick, O. C. Ashworth, Jr., L. J. Smith John Jackson, Captain Le-Roy Guest was the groom's best man.
   The junior bridesmaids, Carolyn Robinson and' Hettie Joyce Ashworth wore similar dresses of pink taffeta fashioned with puff sleeves and full skirts and their flowers were pink asters.
   The bridesmaids Misses Kay and Rachel Murphy, sisters of the groom and Mrs. L. J. Smith, matron of honor, wore identical gowns of ice- blue baronet crepe. They wore tiaras of blue tulle and their flowers were pink asters in arm clusters tied with pink ribbons.
   Miss Helen Morgan, her sister's maid of honor, wore beige of the same model as the other attend ants and her bouquet was of Talisman roses.
   The bride, given in marriage by her father, wore a gown of ivory satin. The close fitting bodice was styled with yoke outlined with a broad fold of satin that lent an off- shoulder effect. The bouffant skirt was fashioned with a train and a coronet of orange blossoms held in place the veil of illusion was in fingertip length. Her only ornament was an heirloom necklace of pearls. The bridal bouquet was of white orchids and tuberoses showered with satin ribbons.
   Mrs. J. M. Morgan, mother of the bride, wore a costume of fuchsia crepe with a lavender orchid in corsage bouquet. Mrs. J. L. Murphy, mother of the groom was gowned in a black sheer with which she wore a black picture hat and lavender orchid in a corsage bouquet.
   Immediately following the ceremony a reception was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Morgan. Those attending were members of the bridal party, close friends and out-of-town guests. The rooms were in adornment of choice flowers and radiance was from many burning candles. The bride's table was covered with an imported cut lace cloth and was centered with the bride's cake that was in all white ornamentation with flowerets of spun sugar. Topping it were the miniature bride and groom, and encircling the cake was a garland of white roses and clematis. Miss Mary Bevins cut the cake. Miss Madge Tompkins and Miss Jane5 Kimbrough presided at the punch bowl.
   Later in the evening, Captain and Mrs. Murphy left for a wedding trip to New Orleans. They will reside in August [SIC], Ga. during Captain Murphy's present assignment.
   Out-of-town guests for the wedding were: Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Murphy, Misses Kay and Rachel Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. Bonner, Patrick and Bonner Patrick Jr.. all of Andalusia; Dr. J. M. Morgan, New York; Mr. and Mrs. O. C. Ashworth, Bettie Joyce and O. C. Ashworth,. Jr., of Gadsden; Mrs. Robinson and Carolyn Robinson, Jackson; Mr. Henri Mayton, Fulton; Dr. W. H. Waters, Birmingham; Captain Le- Roy Guest, Tulsa,

The Andalusia Star, Andalusia, Al, 19 Sep 1946, Thu, Page 7

 
(both courtesy of "Rick & Kat")

Grave markers for Ray W. Murphy in Magnolia Cemetery, Andalusia (Covington county), Alabama.

Ray registered for the draft in Andalusia, Al, on 1 July 1941.

Ray, a college graduate, was drafted and enlisted under ASN 34109197 in the Army at Fort McClellan, AL on 14 August 1941.

His college education enabled him to get a commission and he also went through jump school.  Whether he did that as an enlisted man or officer is unknown.

1st Lt. Murphy was transferred from Camp Toccoa, GA to Hq 3rd 508th PIR on 7 November 1943.

On 18 September 1943 1st Lt. Murphy was sent to a hospital.  The fact that he was next put on convalescent leave after more than two months hospitalization implies that he had been injured in a practice jump during the Tennessee Maneuvers which were taking place at the time of his hospitalization.

Lt. Murphy returned to active duty on 2 November 1943 but 3 weeks later was transferred to the Air Corps, apparently after being taken of jump status.

His exploits as a navigator in the 12th Air Force are highlighted in news articles seen at left.  The articles did not mention any further breakdown.

The 12tjh Air Force was a composite organization with strategic heavy bombardment groups; tactical light and medium bombardment, fighter-bomber, and fighter groups.

Included were 2 bomber commands, the XII Bomber Command and the XII Air Support Command. comprised of 9 bomber groups, 1 Observation (photo recon) group and 4 fighter groups.

•   15th Bomb Squadron - Douglas A-20 "Boston"
•   47th Bomb Group - Douglas A-20 "Boston"
•   97th Bomb Group - Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress") 
•  301st Bomb Group - Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress") 
•    17th Bomb Group - B-26 Martin "Marauder"
•  319th Bomb Group - B-26 Martin "Marauder"
•  320th Bomb Group - B-26 Martin "Marauder"
•  310th Bomb Group - North American B-25 Mitchell"
•  321st Bomb Group - North American B-25 Mitchell"

Also included was a Photographic Reconnaissance Wing.

•   3rd Photo Group - Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress"
•   68th Observation Group - Douglas A-20 "Boston"

Since Ray was a navigator he could have been in any of the bomber units or the photo recon units and that determined which type of aircraft he flew in.

According to his military grave marker he achieved the rank of major while serving in that branch.