Sgt. A.F. "Kelly" Murray U.S.M.C.

About the Book

Sgt. A.F. “Kelly” Murray, a Hoosier Hibernian in the Great Pacific War is the story of an 18-year old from the Irish east side of Indianapolis who spent three years in the Marine Corps at a very critical time for the world. Kelly Murray, an Indianapolis firefighter, died in 1978 at the age of 53 years without revealing in any detail his Marine Corps service years. Like many other World War II Veterans, perhaps Kelly felt the less said, the better. Cruel memories of horror best forgotten. Thus, the story is told largely from letters and photographs that remained in his U.S.M.C. sea bag for over 60 years. The correspondence and pictures provide an interesting perspective on Kelly Murray’s Great Pacific War journey, and the news from home that followed him. It is a simple tale of a true life yet modest hero, who quietly served his beloved country.

About the Author

Kevin Charles Murray is the eldest son of the late Albert Francis “Kelly” Murray and Ruth Cunningham Murray. A native of the Indianapolis east side, Kevin is a graduate of St. Philip Neri Grade School, Scecina Memorial High School, Indiana State University, and Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis. He has practiced law over 30 years in Indianapolis, Indiana, with Locke Reynolds, now known as Frost Brown Todd. Kevin is active in Indiana Democratic politics, the Indianapolis Irish community, and historic preservation. Enrolled as a graduate student at the College of Architecture and Planning at Ball State University, Kevin is currently finishing a Master of Science Degree in Historic Preservation. Kevin’s preservation projects include the rehabilitation of an Irish stone cottage near Dunfanaghy, County Donegal, Ireland, his great grandfather’s village