Ora McMurry was an officer in the United States Army Air Service during World War I. He was twice awarded with the Distinguished Service Cross. His first award citation reads: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Ora R. McMurry, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 49th Aero Squadron, 2d Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Romagne, France, 4 October 1918. Lieutenant McMurry was a member of a patrol of seven machines which attacked 17 enemy Fokkers. After shooting down one of the enemy, this officer returned to the fight and shot down another.