Hospital Corpsman First Class David “Chris” Murray, a 1997 graduate of Barnwell High School, received an unusual Christmas present this past holiday. The United States Navy informed him Dec. 23 he had been chosen to be the first Administrative and Preventive Medicine Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, North Vietnam.
“It’s an honor and a privilege,” he said. “I’m excited about going. I’ve always tried to help people.”
Murray made many firsts with his acceptance because the position was created in November 2011.
“I was selected out of the Navy to do this job,” he said. “I’m honored that they would select me.”
With plans to leave the country Feb. 1, Murray said he will be working under the Office of Health Affairs Attache for the next two years or more.
During that time, he will be training both Americans and locals how to handle food, maintain the water quality and prevent the spread of disease, he said.
“I have to make sure the quality of food is held to the highest standard – USDA (United States Department of Agriculture),” he said. “I will be traveling throughout the country of Vietnam.”
This overseas position opened up after years of education, training and experience, which began during the first 17 years of his life in Barnwell.
“I was born and raised here,” Murray said of Barnwell. “That was my start.”
Murray said he was involved with the community and played basketball in Barnwell County, and David Cannon of Barnwell “told me to look beyond Barnwell and my circumstances.”
Cannon was the former manager of the late James Brown, Godfather of Soul.
“He (Cannon) really inspired me. He was like a mentor to me because I was in music,” he said. “I never in a million years thought I’d be in this job. He inspired me to look beyond my obstacles and I believed him.”
“He’s a fine young man,” Cannon said in a phone interview. “He always comes by when he comes to town. I’m just proud of him since I’ve known him since he was a very young man.”
After graduating high school, Murray went on to receive a bachelor degree in health science and a Masters degree in Community and Environmental Health from Old Dominion University, Murray said.
“I think that degree held its own,” he said.
Beginning in June 1999, Murray has served more than 12 years in the U.S. Navy, Murray said. “I worked my way up through the ranks.”
Beginning as an E1, Murray now holds the rank of E6 and will soon find out about moving up to an E7, he said.
Some friends have started to say he has reached the top, but “I don’t think I’m at the top, (I’m) just getting started,” Murray said. “My grandfather always instilled in me to strive for excellence.”
His grandfather and grandmother, the late David Dorch Jr. and the late Lillie B. Trowell Dorch, of Williston, raised him, Murray said.
“I just won’t be near my family,” Murray said of his only concern about his new position in Vietnam.
His grandparents stepped in while his mother, Jennie W. Murray of Barnwell, finished high school and attended college, Jennie Murray said. “I’m very happy. It’s an achievement. He told me once (around middle school), ‘One day, I’m going to be a part of the White House.’”
“Everything’s so secret,” David Murray said. “This job is like working at the White House,” but “I’m not really worried about the security.”
The Embassy has “a lot of protection,” he said.
Murray said he was raised to do the right thing and has received the necessary clearance.
“He’s always been a clever young man. He always sees it through,” Jennie Murray said. “I’m just overjoyed that he achieved his dream.”
Jennie Murray said one of the most important lessons she taught her son was to “put God first in your life and you can achieve anything you put your mind to.”
From 2006-2009, David Murray worked onboard the USS George Washington, and he was one of three Preventive Medicine Technicians (PMT) for a crew of 6,000, he said. “It was high visibility.”
Murray has spent the last few years, from 2009 to the present, with the Naval Environmental Preventive Medicine Unit 2 in Norfolk, Va., with a seven-month tour to Kuwait during that time, he said. “We prevent the spread of disease.”
Using that training, Murray now plans to serve overseas at least two years in order to educate and advise those who live in Vietnam.
“I’m still kind of shocked,” he said. “There’s a definite need there.”
While overseas, Murray said he will be taking some public health classes as well as traveling to neighboring countries, such as Cambodia, Thailand and China.
“I’ve always wanted to go see the Great Wall of China,” Murray said.
Hanoi borders China and is involved in mining and manufacturing clothes. Describing the city of Hanoi, he said, “It’s like New York City. People think it’s rural, but it’s not.”
Though the city does not have the technology base of the U.S., “it’s growing,” Murray said. “I will get the chance to build on my degree and training.”
“I love to help people,” he said. “I believe that if you can help one person you can achieve your goal in life. I look forward to being able to help someone else who is less fortunate than myself.”
“January 2015 is when I’m due to come back,” Murray said. “Then I can come back and help my own community.”