After completing the Basic School at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in March 1936, Lieutenant Murray joined the 2nd Marine Brigade in San Diego, California. Embarking with the brigade for China in September 1937, he served for a short time with the 2nd Battalion in Shanghai. In January 1938, he joined the Marine detachment at the American Embassy in Peiking. He was promoted to first lieutenant in August 1938. Upon his return to San Diego in September 1940, he again saw duty with the 2nd Brigade.