Born in San Antonio, Texas, Captain Dave Murray is the son of Army Chaplain LTCOL James and Marie Murray. In 1975, Captain Murray enlisted in the Navy as a Naval Aircrewman. During his second assignment, he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree and received orders to Aviation Officer Candidate School where he was commissioned in March 1984. He then continued on in the Naval Flight Officer (NFO) training pipeline and received his "Wings of Gold" in November 1984.

Captain Murray’s aviation and operational assignments include Training Squadron Ten (VT-10), in Pensacola, Florida; Patrol Squadron Eight (VP-8) in Brunswick, Maine; two tours in Patrol Squadron Thirty (VP-30) in Jacksonville, Florida teaching aviation theory, simulator and inflight tactics, techniques and procedures; Commander, Seventh Fleet, Yokosuka, Japan; Patrol Squadron Forty Five (VP-45) in Jacksonville, Florida; and as Officer-in-Charge of Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Force Atlantic, Detachment, Advanced Maritime Projects Office, also in Jacksonville, Florida.

Captain Murray received a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Command and Staff College at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Additionally, he attended the Joint War College in Norfolk, Virginia.

In June of 2001, Captain Murray reported aboard Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Miami as Executive Officer and in December 2002 he assumed command. During this period NRD Miami twice earned Region District of the Year and placed second and third in the Nation. NRD Miami also earned the coveted Enlisted Recruiting "R" three times and the Officer Recruiting "R" twice. Captain Murray also received a Master of Business Administration degree from Florida Atlantic University during this tour.

Captain Murray relinquished command of Navy Recruiting District Miami in June 2004 and reported aboard United States Southern Command where he currently served as Chief Joint Operations Division and Naval Element Commander.

Captain Murray assumed command of the NROTC Houston Consortium in August 2006. He is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration program with Northcentral University of Prescott, Arizona.

Captain Murray has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with one Gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three Gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one Gold star, and various unit and service awards.

Captain Murray is married to the former Jane Marie Nowlan of Big Lake, Minnesota. They have two children, David and Jonathan.