Harold R. Murray.
Ball Turret Gunner · 330th Squadron · Of Cresskill, New Jersey, New Jersey.
The Man Behind the Name
S/Sgt. Harold R. Murray (ASN 32387917), born January 4, 1920, served as ball turret gunner. He was on his 13th mission when his aircraft was shot down over Serbia during the August 1, 1943 Ploesti raid. He bailed out when the plane went out of control, his parachute opening just above the treetops. He sustained deep cuts on his nose and above his eyes.
Murray drew on his aids box supplies while hiding on a mountainside, using chocolate, chewing gum, and his water bottle during his march. He used his compass during a later attempted escape, and hid his map when he realized capture was imminent. All his money was taken by his captors.
He was eventually captured by mountain police in Serbia, who told him the rest of his crew had been killed in the crash. He was held as a POW and later interrogated by 15th Air Force G-2 and submitted a written report to G-2 Italy. He signed a security certificate at Cairo, Egypt on September 16, 1944, and returned to the UK on October 12, 1944.
Murray had been trained in escape and evasion at all phases of training and at Hethel Field, England by S-2 officers. His advice for future evaders: move at least half a mile from the landing point and then hide out for two or three days if possible. He carried dog tags but no foreign currency and spoke no foreign languages.
Service record.
Missions flown.
The missions below are those we have been able to document for this airman, drawn from flight logs, mission records, and archival sources. It is not necessarily a complete account of every mission flown; gaps may reflect missing documentation, transferred assignments, or records lost to time.