Grady C. Murray, Private to Private First Class.

Served with distinction in the Hq1 Communications Platoon from July 1944 to December 1945 when he transferred to the 504^th PIR, 82^nd Air-borne Division for transportation to the United States, and participation in the New York City WW II Victory Parade. 

Grady Murray was an outstanding, courageous soldier. Always cheerful and dependable.  A very popular member of Hq1.  

Grady Murray is a distinguished member of the “Greatest of the Greatest Generation.” 

Grady Murray tells his story. “I was born March 15, 1924 and grew up in Grover, SC. My father was a cattle farmer. He also operated a slaughter house and meat market. I attended elementary school in Grover and high school in St. George, SC.  In December 1941, I was employed as an apprentice machinist in the Charleston Naval Shipyard.

In June 1943, I volunteered for military service and was inducted at Fort Jackson, SC in August 1943. I completed basic Infantry training at Camp Wheeler, GA, and in November 1943, volunteered for parachutist training.  I qualified as a parachutist at Fort Benning, GA, and on April 15, 1944 graduated from the Communications School as a low speed radio operator.

In June 1944, I was shipped overseas with a group of casuals. We land-ed in Glasgow, Scotland.  After orientation lectures, we were sent to a Replacement Center in Tideworth, England.

On July 8, 1944, I was assigned to the 508^th Parachute Infantry Regiment (508^th PIR) in Nottingham, England, and joined the Hq1 Communications Platoon – for the duration.

The 508^th PIR was attached to the 82^nd Airborne Division and had parachuted into Normandy on June 6, 1944 (D-Day). It was still fighting in Normandy. 

On July 15, 1944, the battle-seasoned veterans of the 508^th PIR return-ed to Nottingham. The regiment had suffered serious casualties - 2056 men had parachuted into Normandy on D-Day; 1161 were casualties of which 307 were buried in France. We replacements were warmly welcomed and I became a ‘Red Devil.’