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Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USN Retired
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Current/Last Rank
Command Master Chief Petty Officer
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Current/Last Primary NEC
9580-Command Master Chief
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Current/Last Rating/NEC Group
Command Master Chief
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Primary Unit
1990-1992, 9580, Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, VA
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Previously Held NEC
ZZ-9999-Not Applicable
AD-0000-Aviation Machinist's Mate
ADJ-0000-Aviation Machinist Mate-Jet
AD-9502-Instructor
AMH-8251-P-3 Flight Engineer
9502-Instructor
AD-8800-Aviation Machinist Mate Maintenance Control Chief
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Service Years
1964 - 1992
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| Official/Unofficial US Navy Certificates
Cold War
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1088, Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA)
- Assoc. Page
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1967, A-3 Skywarrior Association
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1967, VQ Association
- Assoc. Page
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1977, Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), Branch 283 (Member) (Elsmere, Kentucky)
- Chap. Page
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1992, American Legion
- Assoc. Page
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1992, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW)
- Assoc. Page
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1992, United States Navy Memorial
- Assoc. Page
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1992, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
- Assoc. Page
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2003, Armed Forces Top Enlisted Association (AFTEA)
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2007, USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) Association
- Assoc. Page
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2008, National Chief Petty Officers Association
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What are you doing now:
Since my retirement in 1992 I have lived in the house where I was reared on the 80 acre farm that my grandfather sold to me after he passed away. I have completely restored and added to the house, torn down two old barns and built a shop. I farm the hay crop which I sell to a neighbor. I have owned and operated a lawn care business for ten years, driven a schoolbus for fourteen years, been a bus mechanic for three years and husband of my childhood sweetheart for sixteen years. In 2000 I was asked to Pastor a newly reopened church in a nearby county, while there I was ordained as a minister in the Christian Faith. I am active with my local Masonic Lodge, local church. and various civic and community activities.
My wife, Wanda and I share four children. She has three, a son and two daughters and I have one daughter. Together we enjoy and love ten wonderful grandchildren. The oldest is eighteen and the youngest is one year
We plan to retire again in 2009 in order to draw social security and spend time with our kids.
Retire we did and are loving it. We purchased a new travel trailer last fall. We plan to enjoy it as much as possible. I did go back to work partime as a court security officer. I am also starting a Concealed Weapons school since I became qualed as an instructor
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1964-1964, ZZ-9999, Recruit Training Center (RTC) (Faculty Staff)
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1965-1967, AD-0000, VQ-2 Rangers
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1967-1969, ADJ-0000, RVAH-7 Peacemakers
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1969-1972, AD-9502, Naval Air Technical Training Command (Staff), Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (Staff)
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1972-1974, AD-0000, CNO - OPNAV
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1974-1976, AMH-8251, VP-11 Pegasus/Lovin-eleven
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1976-1978, AD-0000, VF-33 Tarsiers/Starfighters
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1978-1981, 9502, VAQ-33 Firebirds/Night Hawks
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1981-1983, VP-44
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1983-1986, AD-8800, Naval Station (NAVSTA) Roosevelt Roads, PR
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1986-1988, USS Coral Sea (CV-43)
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1988-1990, 9580, Fighter Squadron ELEVEN (VF-11) Red Rippers
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1990-1992, 9580, Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, VA
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Reflections on CMDCM Murray's
US Navy Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
My draft notice was in my pocket, I had passed the physical and I knew that it was my obligation to serve my country. An uncle asked me what I was going to do and I told him I was going to join the Air Force. He said, "If you do, I'll kick your butt"!!! He said the Navy would send me to school, they did and make me be somebody. I let others decide that, but when I retired after 28 years I was the CMC of NAS Oceana. I had a great career and I thank all those Chiefs, Officers and sailors whom I served with and learned from.
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WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I enlisted as a Seaman Recruit and retired as a Master Chief. I served in various duties and duty stations. I flew as a crewman in the EA 3B Skywarrior and Engineer in the P3C Orion. I taught in two schools and was CMC of the World Famous "Red Rippers" and NAS Oceana. I was acting CMC of the USS Coral Sea a short time.
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IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
From December of 1966 through March of 1967 I flew 250 hours and 58 missions in support of the strikes against North Vietnam.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The many outstanding men and women that I served with and the experience of being part of a great team. I remember most the day I was initiated and welcomed into the Chief's Mess. June 21, 1975. WOW.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I guess my two Air Medals fall in that category. I didn't even know they had been earned until the Command (VQ 2) presented them to me.
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OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
The Air Medals because of the missions. The Air Force Achievement Medal, earned while supporting the U 2 spy plane in Roosevelt Roads. The Command Master Chief Badge which I worked so hard to earn and maintain.
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WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
ADJC "Pappy" Regimbal, my first Chief and the one who started my career. Captain Robert W. Arn, my Vietnam pilot, who trusted me and encouraged me. All the sailors, Chiefs, and Officers I knew and served with, and Captain Francis X. Mezzadri, CO of Roosey Rds, you helped so much to make me a Master Chief.
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CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
During my CPO initiation, the CMC, AFCM Al Friedman of VP 11 decided he was going to show me how to blow the foam off a pitcher of beer. It blew back on him and covered his face and glasses. I laughed so hard I fell to the floor. He yelled at me, "Get up boy, and quit that laughing"! What a hoot.
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WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I returned to Robertson County Kentucky and the farm/home in which I grew up. I started driving a big yellow school bus and did that for sixteen and a half years. I was also a mechanic for the last six years before I retired from the school board in May 2009. I also ran a lawn care service for ten years, I called myself,"Yardvark". I'm most proud that I was ordained as a minister in the Christian church. With all that I managed to dabble in politics, try to be a good husband, dad, and Papaw. I am currently employed as Court Security Officer at our Justice Center. Carrying a weapon brings new meaning to responsibility.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I belong to the Fleet Association, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Non-Commissioned Officers Association and several other veterans groups, mostly past commands. Although I don't participate in meetings I do cherish each association for their efforts to serve and protect all service members rights.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
I think my career experiences helped prepare me for civilian life. I try not to get involved or upset with petty or trivial things. I cherish time with my wife and family, especially grand-kids. I value true friendship. I seek challenges that my non-military friends shy away from. Lastly, I speak up when I need to and when things aren't going the right way. I also love to work with and counsel young folks.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
I tell everyone who will listen that they should strive to be the best, To seek the counsel of their seniors and to ask for challenges that will bring them satisfaction and experience. Don't be afraid to volunteer or try something new. I was the Division Officer of the Sewer crew on the Coral Sea. My fellow Chiefs called me," Ed Norton". I believe that my guys were the best on the ship and all the heads worked. If you want a commission then do all you can to get it. If you want to stay enlisted then work and plan to be a Master Chief. If it doesn't happen, then at least be happy you tried.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
 | | TWS and the US Navy |
Several fellow Chiefs and many sailors have contacted me through the website. Two have asked me to be part of their retirement ceremonies. That was a true honor to me. It is also great to learn that shipmates have gone on to bigger and better things in their "after the Navy" life. Personally, I don't think there is anything better than Navy life. I'll close with this. Thank you, America and its citizens for giving me the chance to do and be someone I didn't know I could be. God Bless. DS 9/27/17
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