He was a United States Naval Reserve Lieutenant during World War II from 1942 to 1945, and was otherwise in private practice in Butte between 1936 and 1949, and an Assistant United States Attorney of the District of Montana from 1938 to 1942.
[1] On April 5, 1949, Murray was nominated by President Harry S. Truman to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Montana vacated by Judge Robert Lewis Brown Sr. Murray was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 4, 1949, and received his commission on May 9, 1949.
He served as Chief Judge from 1957 to 1965, assuming senior status due to a certified disability on December 31, 1965.
Murray served in that capacity until his death on October 3, 1994, in Butte.
[1] Murray was the son of United States Senator James E.