Killed PVT Murray, Vernard R. – 34887983
While going thru one of the Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) of a 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division missing soldier we are investigating, we find a missing list which contains the name of Private Vernard R. Murray with ASN 34887983.
Check
During this, the missing status is verified because PVT Murray is also mentioned in the Second World War missing list of the Defense Prisoner of War / Missing Personnel Office (DPMO). By doublechecking that list with the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) database, it seems that Private Vernard R. Murray was recovered in the fifties, positively identified and transferred and buried in Cleveland, Bradley. The following details can be found in the ABMC database;
About PVT Murray – 34887983
| Name: Murray, Vernard R. |
| Rank: Private (PVT) |
| Service number: 34887983 |
| Unit: 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division |
| Died: October 4th, 1944 |
| Commemorated:: Tablets of the Missing, Netherlands Margraten U.S. Cemetery and Memorial |
| Buried: Hilcrest Memorial Gardens in Cleveland, Bradley |
Removal MIA status
By double-checking with document that we have, we find that Vernard R. Murray was indeed recovered and identified. Study group Missing Soldier sends an mail with our findings to the ABMC and DPMO and after a while we receive a message which states that CPL Murrays’ name is removed from the DPMO WWII Service Personnel Not Recovered database.
The WWII Service Personnel Not Recovered database counts one less.
Circumstances
The action in which Private Murray was reported as missing in action occurred near the town of Geilenkirchen, Germany. October 1944, Company C launched an attack through a wooded area and became cut off by the enemy. The company ran into a terrific fire from tanks, small arms, artillery and mortars. Company C withdrew and it is presumed that the enemy then moved into the area.
Personnel with Company C had no knowledge of the appearance or condition of PVT Murray when last seen. Since no information to the contrary had been received by the headquarters, either through hospitals, graves registration or Prisoner Of War (POW) channels, it was believed that Private Murray was killed in Action.
He may have been buried in an isolated grave by the Germans.
Recovery
Human remains were found in the vicinity of the German town of Geilenkirchen during the clearing of forested land being prepared for farming. These human remains were recovered on August 8, 1959, together with two ID tags.
On January 27, 1960 the remains have been identified as those of Private Vernard R. Murray. Private Murray was Missing in Action since October 4, 1944 and presumed dead on October 5, 1945.
Private Murray is buried at Hilcrest Memorial Gardens in Cleveland, Bradley.
