During World War I, he supervised U.S. mine-laying bases in Scotland, for which he was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

From there, Murfin became the commandant of the 14th Naval District, where he led the Navy's participation in the search for Amelia Earhart when her plane went missing in 1937.

[2][3][4] Following his retirement, Murfin served as the President of the Navy Court of Inquiry following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The court's conclusions were regarded as too lenient by Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal; see Edward C. Kalbfus.

He died on October 22, 1956, at the Naval Hospital, Balboa Park in San Diego and was buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.