John E. Murray

John Einar Murray (22 November 1918 – 1 September 2008) was a United States Army Major general, who served as Defense Attaché to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Early life Murray was born on 22 November 1918 in Clifton, New Jersey.

Military service While studying at St. John's University, he was drafted into the Army on 9 July 1941 just before the United States entered World War II. Murray was promoted to warrant officer on 11 September 1942 and commissioned as a second lieutenant on 6 January 1943. He later completed an LL.B. degree at New York Law School in October 1949 and an M.A. degree in international affairs at George Washington University in 1961. Murray also graduated from the United States Army War College in 1961.

Murray's Army career spanned three wars and ten military campaigns.

In late August 1974, Murray wrote that “without proper support the RVNAF (Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces) are going lose, maybe not next week, or next month, but after the year they are going to.”

Murray retired from active duty in the Army on 1 September 1974.

In 1988, Murray was appointed Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict by President Ronald Reagan. He retired from government service in 1989.