Michael P. Murphy

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Michael Patrick Murphy
May 7, 1976(1976-05-07) – June 28, 2005 (aged 29)
Navy Photo.
Place of birth	Smithtown, New York
Place of death	Kunar Province, Afghanistan
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Rank	Lieutenant
Unit	SEALs SDV Team 1
Battles/wars	War in Afghanistan (2001–present) Operation Red Wing
Awards	Medal of Honor Silver Star Purple Heart

Michael Patrick Murphy (May 7, 1976–June 28, 2005) was a United States Navy SEAL posthumously awarded the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the current War in Afghanistan. He was the first person to be awarded the medal for actions in Afghanistan; and the first member of the U.S. Navy to receive the award since the Vietnam War.^[1]

[edit] Biography

Murphy was born in Smithtown, New York and grew up in Patchogue, New York on Long Island. He graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School in 1994 and went on to attend The Pennsylvania State University. In 1998, he graduated from Penn State with degrees in both political science and psychology.

Navy photo.

Following graduation, Murphy was accepted to several law schools, but instead he decided to attend SEAL mentoring sessions at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. In September of 2000, he accepted an appointment to the U.S. Navy's Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida. On December 13 of that year, he was commissioned as an ensign in the Navy and began Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, California in January of 2001, eventually graduating with Class 236.

Upon graduation from BUD/S, he attended the United States Army Jump School, SEAL Qualification Training and SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) school. Murphy earned his SEAL Trident and checked on board SDV Team ONE (SDVT-1) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in July of 2002. In October of 2002, he deployed with Foxtrot Platoon to Jordan as the liaison officer for Exercise Early Victor. Following his tour with SDVT-1, Murphy was assigned to Special Operations Central Command in Florida and deployed to Qatar in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After returning from Qatar, he was deployed to Djibouti to assist in the operational planning of future SDV missions.

In early 2005, Murphy was assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE as assistant officer in charge of ALFA Platoon and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The parents of Lt. Murphy receive his medal from President Bush.

In a June 2005 campaign known as Operation Red Wing, Murphy led a four-man reconnaissance team on a mission to locate a top Taliban leader. The group was dropped off by helicopter in a remote, mountainous area east of Asadabad in Kunar Province, near the Pakistan border. Hostile locals discovered their presence and alerted dozens of nearby insurgents, who surrounded and attacked the small group. During the subsequent fight, Murphy continued to lead his men despite being wounded, and eventually crawled into an exposed area in order to make a cell phone call for help. A helicopter loaded with reinforcements was dispatched to rescue the team, but was shot down with the loss of all sixteen people aboard. Murphy and two of his men, Petty Officer 2nd Class Danny Dietz and Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Axelson, were killed in the action; the survivor, Marcus Luttrell, was eventually rescued. All three of Murphy's men were awarded the Navy's second-highest honor, the Navy Cross, for their part in the battle.

Daniel and Maureen Murphy stand next to a monument in front of the Michael P. Murphy Post Office in Patchogue, New York.

Murphy was buried in Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, New York.

On October 22, 2007, a presentation ceremony was held at the White House, President George W. Bush presented Murphy's Medal of Honor to his parents.^[2]

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Murphy's decorations include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, and the National Defense Service Medal.

In May 2008, United States Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter announced that DDG-112, the last planned US Arleigh Burke class destroyer at the time, would be named USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) in honor of Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy.^[3]

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Michael P. Murphy's Medal of Honor and SEAL trident.

Michael Murphy’s Medal of Honor citation.

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

For service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and above and beyond the call of duty as the leader of a special reconnaissance element with Naval Special Warfare task unit Afghanistan on 27 and 28 June 2005. While leading a mission to locate a high-level anti-coalition militia leader, Lieutenant Murphy demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. On 28 June 2005, operating in an extremely rugged enemy-controlled area, Lieutenant Murphy's team was discovered by anti-coalition militia sympathizers, who revealed their position to Taliban fighters. As a result, between 30 and 40 enemy fighters besieged his four member team. Demonstrating exceptional resolve, Lieutenant Murphy valiantly led his men in engaging the large enemy force. The ensuing fierce firefight resulted in numerous enemy casualties, as well as the wounding of all four members of the team. Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men. When the primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his beleaguered teammates. Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain, and in the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call. This deliberate, heroic act deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire. Finally achieving contact with his headquarters, Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team. In his final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country and for the cause of freedom. By his selfless leadership, Lieutenant Murphy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.^[4]

Signed George W. Bush

[edit] See also

United States Navy Portal

• List of Medal of Honor recipients
• Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith, USA — first Medal of Honor recipient from Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• Corporal Jason Dunham, USMC — second Medal of Honor recipient from Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor, USN — third Medal of Honor recipient from Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• Specialist Ross McGinnis, USA — fourth Medal of Honor recipient from Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• Sergeant Rafael Peralta, USMC — nominated for the Medal of Honor.
• USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112)

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Michael P. Murphy

• U.S. Navy's official LT Michael P. Murphy's Medal of Honor website
• Martin Evans news story on Murphy