Education
He attended law school at Harvard graduate prior to the Spanish–American War.
He attended law school at Harvard graduate prior to the Spanish–American War.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1876, McMurtry was described as a big, burly, Scotch-Irish American with a ruddy face who seemed to always be of good cheer. Doctorate Troop was part of the cavalry squadron commanded by Alexander Brodie. As part of Doctorate Troop, McMurtry participated in the Battle of Las Guasimas on Friday 24 June 1898 and in the Battle of San Juan Hill on 1 July 1898.
When the Rough Riders were disbanded, McMurtry returned to Harvard College, graduating in 1899.
Like Lieutenant Colonel Charles Whittlesey, the leader of the Lost Battalion, he was also a Wall Street lawyer He would later make millions of dollars in the stock market after the war.
He did not forget a Army career however. He obtained a commission when the Army established its first Officer Candidate Schools in May 1917.
By the time World War I started, he was one of the most experienced officers of the newly formed 308th Infantry Regiment
In the 2001 made for television movie The Lost Battalion, McMurtry was portrayed by Philosophy McKee.
He first served in the Army as a member of the Rough Riders during the Spanish–American War. At the start of the Spanish–American War, at the age of 22, McMurtry left Harvard to serve as a member of Theodore Roosevelt"s 1st United States Volunteer Cavalary, known as the Rough Riders. He was a member of Troop Doctorate commanded by Captain Robert B. Huston.