Briefing Document: Wiley Badgett Murray - A WWI Soldier's Story

Subject: Biographical Information and Military Service of Wiley Badgett Murray

Date: October 26, 2023

Sources: Excerpts from "Pasted Text"

Summary:

This document provides a detailed account of the life and military service of Wiley Badgett Murray, a young man from San Saba, Texas, who served as an officer in the US Army during World War I. The information highlights his family background, his path to military service, his combat experience, his death from wounds sustained in action, and the repatriation of his remains.

Key Themes and Information:

Early Life and Family:

Wiley Badgett Murray was born on June 30, 1896, in San Saba County, Texas, to Thomas A. and Ethel B. Murray.

He lived with his parents and siblings in the same precinct of San Saba County, according to both the 1900 and 1910 census records.

His mother passed away in 1909.

His father was listed as his next of kin in his Army records and was living in San Saba at the time of Wiley's death.

Entry into Military Service:

Wiley was called into active federal service on August 15, 1917, in San Saba, Texas, as a 2nd Lieutenant.

It is noted that a draft card for Wiley was not found, however, his service is recorded through his officer documentation. *He was sent to officer training at Camp Funston, Leon Springs, in San Antonio.

He trained at Camp Travis with the 360th Infantry Regiment in the 90th Infantry Division.

Wiley was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on January 3, 1918.

Deployment and Combat Experience:

Wiley's regiment moved to Camp Mills, New York, and then to Hoboken, New Jersey, for embarkation to England, which he reached after an eleven day voyage on June 14, 1918.

He was in France with his company within days of reaching England.

He spent six weeks training near Rouvres, France.

The 90th Division moved to the vicinity of Toul on August 19, 1918, and then relieved the 1st Division in the Villers-en-Haye sector by August 24, 1918. *The 90th Division participated in the St. Mihiel operation (September 12-16, 1918), and remained in line in the Puvenelle sector until October 10, 1918. *They were also involved in the Meuse-Argonne operations (October 13 to November 11, 1918).

The division was under fire from August 20, 1918, until the armistice on November 11, 1918, when they were advancing.

Wounding and Death:

Lieutenant Murray was wounded during the Argonne Forest operations.

He was taken to base hospital 114, where he died of his wounds on November 21, 1918, in France.

His father was notified of his death in San Saba, Texas.

Burial and Repatriation:

1st Lieutenant Wiley B. Murray was initially buried in a temporary grave in AEF cemetery 27 at Gironde, France.

The Graves Registration Service (GRS) of the US Army was responsible for handling his burial and repatriation.

His remains were loaded onto the USAT Pocohontas in Bordeaux, France, on October 5, 1920, and arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, on October 18, 1920.

His remains were then transported by train to San Saba, Texas, arriving on November 11, 1920.

Wiley Murray was laid to rest in the San Saba City Cemetery, San Saba County, Texas.

Quotes:

"Wiley was called into active federal service for the US Army on August 15, 1917 at San Saba Texas as a 2nd Lieutenant."

"Wiley's regiment moved out to Camp Mills New York and then to the port of embarkation in Hoboken New Jersey and boarded the transport ship to England on June 14, 1918 for the eleven day voyage to England."

"During the Argonne Forest operations Lieutenant Murray was wounded, he survived and the medics got him to base hospital 114. He died of the wounds on November 21, 1918 in France."

"Wiley's remains were loaded onto the USAT Pocohontas in Bordeaux France on October 5, 1920 and arrived in Hoboken New Jersey on October 18, 1920."

Conclusion:

Wiley Badgett Murray's story provides a poignant glimpse into the experience of a young American soldier during World War I. It outlines the journey from his small-town Texas upbringing to his service as an officer in the trenches of France, his wounding, death, and eventual return to his family and hometown. The document emphasizes the significant role of the Graves Registration Service in handling the remains of those who died overseas and the effort to bring them home.