Ora McMurry
Encyclopedia
Ora McMurry was an officer in the United States Army
Air Service
during World War I
. He was twice awarded with the Distinguished Service Cross
.
His first award citation reads:
His second award citation reads:
McMurry was born in Lake Preston, South Dakota
, his official residence was listed as Evansville, Wisconsin
.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Air Service
United States Army Air Service
The Air Service, United States Army was a forerunner of the United States Air Force during and after World War I. It was established as an independent but temporary wartime branch of the War Department by two executive orders of President Woodrow Wilson: on May 24, 1918, replacing the Aviation...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He was twice awarded with the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
.
His first award citation reads:
- The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Ora R. McMurry, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 49th Aero Squadron, 2d Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Romagne, France, 4 October 1918. Lieutenant McMurry was a member of a patrol of seven machines which attacked 17 enemy Fokkers. After shooting down one of the enemy, this officer returned to the fight and shot down another.
His second award citation reads:
- The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Ora R. McMurry, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 49th Aero Squadron, 2d Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Tages and La Croix aux Bois, France, 30 October 1918. After becoming separated from his patrol because of motor trouble, this officer encountered and attacked five enemy planes (Fokker), and succeeded in shooting down one of them.
McMurry was born in Lake Preston, South Dakota
Lake Preston, South Dakota
Lake Preston is a city in Kingsbury County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 599 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Lake Preston is located at ....
, his official residence was listed as Evansville, Wisconsin
Evansville, Wisconsin
Evansville is a city in Rock County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,039 at the 2000 census . According to the 2010 census there are 5,012 people Since 2000, Evansville's population has increased over 21%...
.