Headstone of Raymond Murray

Raymond Murray

1970

Raymond L. Murray.

How He Died
Manner Accident
Cause Multiple traumatic injuries
What Happened
Forest Ranger Raymond Murray was killed in an airplane crash while taking off from the Pleasant Valley Airfield near Hammondsport, New York. He was conducting an aerial patrol to detect forest fires and violators of state fire laws. Ranger Murray's flight was the inaugural flight launching a new forest fire detection system from the air by the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation. The plane crashed into a house on the Bath-Hammandsport Road approximately a quarter mile past the end of the runway. It is believed the crash was caused by a strong downdraft. Another forest ranger and the pilot suffered severe injuries in the crash. Ranger Murray was a veteran of WWII. He had served with the New York State Forest Rangers for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
Photograph of Raymond Murray
Photograph of Raymond Murray
Service Record
Also Served
New York State Forest Rangers
Forest Ranger
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier neuraspine_01krbxtn6jka31cx2e094sd482
Record added August 2, 2026 neuraweb.nw
Stewarded by neuraweb.nw
Last updated August 2, 2026

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