Originally hailing from Cabot, AR, Master Chief James Murray enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves May 1997. Master Chief Murray was joined with his wife Tami and daughter Abigail when he began his journey with the U.S. Coast Guard in February 1999.
His initial assignment brought him to CG Station San Francisco, CA. Eager to expand his knowledge and expertise, he enrolled in the Avionics Technician (AVT) "A" school in March 2000. Subsequently, he excelled as an HH-60J Flight Mechanic at CG Air Station Astoria and pursued further training at the Advanced Avionics and Integrated Weapons Systems Maintenance Course-C1 (AAIWSM) at NATTC Pensacola, FL in 2004.
Master Chief Murray was a C-37A and C-143A Avionicsman at CG Air Station Washington D.C. from 2005 through 2010. He then embarked on a new chapter in Kodiak, AK between 2010 and 2013, serving as a Radioman on the HC-130H before assuming the position of Avionics Shop Chief in Savannah, GA for a brief but impactful 10-month period. Master Chief Murray was assigned duty as the LCPO for Air Station Houston, TX from 2014 through 2017.
Prior to his current role at Air Station Savannah Master Chief Murray was the Command Master Chief for Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles, WA, Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi, TX and Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA).
Master Chief Murray attained an associate’s degree in electronic engineering technology and a bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance technology. His remarkable achievements have earned him recognition, such as being selected as the National Capital Region's Enlisted Person of the Year in 2008. He was also nominated for the prestigious Douglas Munro Inspirational Leadership Award. Moreover, he completed the CPO Academy class 186 in May 2012 and the Senior Enlisted Leadership Course in March 2017.
Master Chief Murray's outstanding service has been acknowledged through numerous personal awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals with the "O" device, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals, three Commandant Letter of Commendation awards, eight Good Conduct Medals, the Command Master Chief Silver Badge Insignia, and the Aircrewman Insignia.