Francis E Murray

CMSGT (Ret) Francis E. (Mike) Murray born June 4, 1924 departed this earth August 14, 2017, to be reunited with the love of his life Ann M. Murray. Mike was also predeceased by his parents Edward and Agnes Murray, his brother Raymond and his sister Marie. Mike leaves behind to celebrate his life four children, Jan McLean and her husband Rich; Michael Murray and his wife Andrea; Sheila Hodges and her husband Ross and Ann Marie TestaSecca and her husband, Patrick. In addition, six grandchildren loving their Poppop, Jennifer Saavedra, Jessica Dennis and her husband Kevin, Whitni Hodges Parks and her husband Alex, Spencer Hodges and his fiancé Abi, Chelsea Hodges and Sadie TestaSecca. He is also survived by four great- grandchildren, Alek, Riley and Jayden Dennis and Harper Rae Hodges. Left to miss him is his beloved dog Noel.

Mike joined the U.S. Army Air Force in 1942. He undertook radio operator/gunner training and joined the 344th Bomb Group of the 9th Air Force at MacDill Field in May 1943. Following the formation and training of the bomb group, Mike and the bomb group were transferred to England in February 1944. He traveled on the Queen Mary being used to ferry troops to Scotland. As the radio operator/gunner on a B-26 Marauder named “Queen of Hearts” he began taking part in bombing raids on Nazi held France soon thereafter. It was during this time that his bomber pilot gave him the nick name “Mike” which he used from that time on. He was wounded by German anti-aircraft shrapnel on a mission in April 1944 and received the Purple Heart medal. After his recovery, he rejoined to fight and took part in air cover for the D Day invasion at Normandy and later the air response to the Germans during the Battle of Bulge. After the war, Mike briefly left the Air Force, but rejoined in 1946 in time to participate in the Berlin Airlift in 1948-1949. Mike was a fighter aircraft line chief in Kimpo, Korea during his two-year service during the Korean War. Following that war Mike became a member of the Strategic Air command and was assigned to various bases ranging from Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico, Westover AFB in Massachusetts and Bunker Hill AFB in Indiana as well as numerous temporary tours of duty which took him from his family for weeks and months at a time. During this period, he became an Armament-Electronic line chief and worked on a number of bombers such as the B-47 Stratojet, the B-52 Stratofortress, and the B-58 Hustler. Mike advanced through the enlisted ranks and was in the first classes to receive the rank of Senior Master Sargent and Chief Master Sargent when the ranks were created. Mike retired from the Air Force in 1968. He was always busy working for defense contractors and the US Post Office. Mike and Ann made many lifelong friends in their travels. Mike’s friends at his favorite place for coffee each morning at La Teresita Café supported him after the loss of his Ann and remained dear to his heart. Mike’s motto, “Every day is a good day” inspired all that knew him. Services will be at Gonzalez Funeral Home on North Dale Mabry in Tampa. The wake will be from 4pm to 6pm Thursday August 17th. A memorial service will be held at 10 am Friday August 18th with burial to follow at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.