Murphy, Russel Leroy 1926 - 1948

MURPHY, BOWMAN, GRIMM, STRUBE

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 6/24/2024 at 12:13:07

Clayton County Register, 11 Mar. 1948.

Russel Leroy Murphy, 19, son of Royce and Mabel Bowman Murphy, was born April 12, 1926 near Elkport, Iowa.

He attended school at Postville, Monona, West Union and Maynard. In 1938 his family moved to Dundee, Iowa, and he continued his school work through his junior year. He was very active in athletics, especially basketball, and received many letters and awards.

On August 18, 1943, he enlisted in the Navy, receiving his boot training at Farragut, Idaho. He took a special torpedoman's course at San Diego, California, where he graduated with honors. He sailed for New Caledonia, in the South Pacific in April, 1944, and was assigned to the destroyer Jenkins, on which ship he had served 15 months at the time of his death on July 02, 1945. He attained the rank of Torpedoman 3rd class, and received the victory medal, also the commendation ribbon for heroic action and outstanding performance of duty in the battle of Luzon, Phillipine Islands.

He was buried in Halawa Naval Cemetery, Oahu, Hawaii, from which cemetery his remains have now been returned. He reached the age of 19 years, 2 months and 20 days.

Survivors besides his parents are one sister, Faye Etta, now Mrs. Floyd Grimm, and one brother, both of Dundee; also his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Morris Bowman and great-grandmother, Mrs. Matilda Strube, all of Garber, Iowa.

Funeral services were conducted March 03, 1948, from St. John's Lutheran church, Dundee, Iowa, with the Rev. J. Hughes officiating.

Burial was in Mt. Harmony Cemetery near Elkport, Iowa.