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Frazee, Murray Bennett, Jr. (Murph)(Silverstarx3), CAPT.
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Murray was born in Lafayette, Indiana on January 8, 1916, the son of the late Lieutenant Colonel Murray B. Frazee Sr, AUS (Ret) and Mrs. Caroline (Matthews) Frazee. He graduated from Gettysburg High School in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in 1933 and attended Gettysburg College for two years. In 1935, he enrolled in the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland and graduated with a B.S. degree in 1939.
Murray's commission as Ensign began 27 years of active duty in the Navy. Following one year in an aircraft carrier and a year as Chief Engineer in a destroyer, Murray enrolled in submarine school and served in submarines throughout World War II. He made eleven submarine war patrols, each averaging 60 days, the first seven in the Grayback and the last four in the Tang as second in command. He commanded the submarine GAR from 1944-45. For his gallantry in action, he received three awards of the Silver Star Medal and two of the Bronze Star Medal.
Following the war, Murray commanded the submarine Greenfish, a division of 5 submarines and a squadron of 14 submarines, and had four 3-year tours of duty in the Pentagon. Concurrently with his naval service, he attended George Washington University Law School, receiving his J.D. Degree with honors in 1948, and American University, earning an M.A. degree in 1964. He advanced through the ranks and served as Captain from 1958 until his voluntary retirement in 1966. Upon retirement, he passed the Pennsylvania bar exam and practiced law in Adams County through 1981 in partnership with his brother-in-law, the late Donald M. Swope.
Murray was married on December 27, 1941 to Betty Swope at her home in Gettysburg. Their loving 65-year marriage resulted in four children: Nancy, wife of Dr. David D.S. Poor, of Meadowbrook, PA; James, husband of Tricia (Merrick), of Gettysburg; Sally, wife of Dr. Raymond Wells, of Abington, PA; and Murray III, husband of Amanda (Polinski) of Eugene, OR. He is also survived by his sister, Colonel Mary E. Frazee, USA (Ret) of San Antonio, TX, as well as 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Murray was a member since 1931 of the Gettysburg Presbyterian Church. He was also a member of the Hanover Elks, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association.
Other Comments:
Name of Award
Silver Star
Year Awarded
1944
Details behind Award:
Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Murray Bennett Frazee, Jr. (NSN: 0-82511), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Officer of the Deck, Torpedo and Gunnery Officer and Torpedo Data Computer Operator on board a United States Submarine during seven war patrols of that vessel against enemy Japanese forces in alien waters. Immediately after a hostile submarine was sighted, Lieutenant Commander Frazee took prompt and effective action, rendering invaluable assistance to his Commanding Officer in pressing home a successful attack against the enemy vessel. Throughout this period of prolonged underwater operations, he performed his essential duties with coolness and skill, often in the face of severe hostile countermeasures and contributed materially to the sinking and damaging of an important amount of vital Japanese shipping. Lieutenant Commander Frazee's inspiring leadership and resolute devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 0547 (March 11, 1944)
Action Date: World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Company: Officer of the Deck
Division: U.S. Submarine
(Second Award)
Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Murray Bennett Frazee, Jr. (NSN: 0-82511), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Assistant Approach Officer of the U.S.S. TANG (SS-306), during the FIRST War Patrol of that Submarine in enemy Japanese-controlled waters, from 22 January to 3 March 1944. Skilled in the performance of duty, Lieutenant Commander Frazee rendered invaluable assistance to his Commanding Officer in delivering aggressive torpedo attacks against heavily escorted enemy convoys to sink four ships totaling over 40,000 tons and in conducting successful evasive tactics during subsequent enemy countermeasures. His devotion to duty reflects the highest credit upon Lieutenant Commander Frazee and the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Pacific Fleet Board of Awards: Serial 76 (October 9, 1944)
Action Date: January 22 - March 3, 1944
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Company: Assistant Approach Officer
Division: U.S.S. Tang (SS-306)
(Third Award)
Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Murray Bennett Frazee, Jr. (NSN: 0-82511), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Assistant Approach Officer of the U.S.S. TANG (SS-306), during the THIRD War Patrol of that submarine in enemy-controlled waters, from 8 June to 14 July 1944. Skilled in the interpretation of attack phases during each of the nine successful attacks launched against enemy shipping, Lieutenant Commander Frazee contributed directly to the success of his vessel in sinking seven hostile freighters and one seaplane tender for a total of 56,000 tons. Coolly aiding in evading enemy countermeasures, at times in shallow waters, he rendered invaluable assistance to his commanding officer in effecting her escape and avoiding severe damage. His professional ability, courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Commander Frazee and the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Pacific Fleet Board of Awards: Serial 79 (October 10, 1944)
Action Date: June 8 - July 14, 1944
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Company: Assistant Approach Officer
Division: U.S.S. Tang (SS-306)
NEC 112X-Unrestricted Line Officer - Submarine Warfare
Base, Station or City Not Specified
State/Country Not Specified
Patch
USS Grayback (SS-208) Details
The USS Grayback (SS-208) was a Tambor-class World War II era submarine.
Grayback was named for a small species of lake herring of commercial importance found abundantly in the Great Lakes.
Keel laid: 04/03/1940
Launched: 01/31/1941
Commissioned: 06/30/1941
Sunk 02/26/1944
Specifications:
Radio call sign: Nan - Baker - King - Fox
Displacement:
Surfaced: 1,475 tons
Submerged: 2,370 tons
Length 307'2'
Beam 27' 3"
Draft 13' 3"
Speed:
Surfaced 20 kts
Submerged 8.75 kts
Complement 6 Officers 54 Enlisted
Operating Depth, 300 ft
Submerged Endurance, 48 hrs at 2 kts
Patrol Endurance 75 days
Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10 kts
Armament:
Ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft
24 torpedoes
One 3"/50 deck gun
Two .50 cal. machine guns
Two .30 cal. machine guns
Propulsion, diesel electric reduction gear with four General Motors main generator engines, HP 5400, Four General Electric main motors, HP 2740, two 126-cell main storage batteries, twin propellers.
Fuel Capacity, 96,365 gals.
Commanding Officers:
LT W. E. Saunders 06/30/1941 - 09/22/21942
LCDR E. C. Stephen 09/22/1942 - 07/19/1943
LCDR J. A. Moore 07/19/1943 - 02/26/1944
Executive Officers:
LCDR R. E. Nichols 06/30/1941 - 04/25/1943
LT J. H. Stewart 04/25/1943 - 02/26/1944
