James V. Murtaugh
Early Life
James Vincent Murtaugh was born on May 31, 1891, in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland. He immigrated to the United States prior to 1917, part of the broader wave of Irish migration during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when economic conditions and limited opportunity in Ireland led many young men to seek work abroad.
By the time of his World War I draft registration, he was living at 19 Eldridge Place in Rye, New York. He was employed as a second man in a garage, working for Haldyn Williams in Rye, reflecting the growing importance of automobile-related trades in the region during this period. He reported that both his father and mother were dependent upon him for support, indicating ongoing family obligations.
World War I Service
Available records do not clearly document confirmed military service for Murtaugh beyond his World War I draft registration. Although he registered for the draft in 1917 and was of eligible age, no definitive service record, unit assignment, or discharge documentation has been identified.
Given the limitations of surviving records and the frequency of similar names, it is not possible to conclusively link him to a specific military unit or confirm active service without additional evidence.
Despite this uncertainty, his inclusion on the Rye World War I Honor Roll indicates that he was recognized locally in connection with the war effort, whether through military service or related contribution.
Life After Service
Details regarding the later life of James V. Murtaugh are not clearly established in available records. His common name and the lack of uniquely identifying information make it difficult to trace his postwar life with certainty.
At the time of his death, surviving family members are not identified in available records.