Michael P. Murphy
Michael Patrick Murphy (May 7, 1976 – June 28, 2005) was a United States Navy SEAL officer who was awarded the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the War in Afghanistan. He was the first member of the United States Navy to receive the award since the Vietnam War.[1] His other posthumous awards include the Silver Star Medal[2][3][n 1] and the Purple Heart.
Michael P. Murphy
"Murph", "Mikey", "The Protector"
May 7, 1976
Smithtown, New York, United States
June 28, 2005 (aged 29)
Kunar Province, Afghanistan
United States
2000–2005
Michael Murphy was born and raised in Suffolk County, New York. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University with honors and dual degrees in political science and psychology. After college he accepted a commission in the United States Navy and became a United States Navy SEAL in July 2002. After participating in several War on Terrorism missions, he was killed on June 28, 2005, after his team was compromised and surrounded by Taliban forces near Asadabad, Afghanistan.
The U.S. Navy ship USS Michael Murphy and several civilian and military buildings have been named in his honor.
Early life and education[edit]
Murphy was born on May 7, 1976, in Smithtown, New York, to Irish American parents Maureen and Daniel Murphy, a former assistant Suffolk County district attorney and a wounded veteran of the Vietnam War.[4] He was raised in Patchogue, New York. He attended Saxton Middle School, where he played youth soccer and pee-wee football, with his father serving as his coach. In high school, he continued playing sports, and took a summer job as a lifeguard at the Brookhaven town beach in Lake Ronkonkoma, New York. He returned to the job every summer throughout his college years.[4]
Murphy was known to his friends as "Murph" and as "The Protector" in his high school years. In 8th grade, he protected a child with special needs who was being shoved into a locker by a group of boys, ending with Murphy physically pulling the attackers away from the child. This was the only time the school principal had to notify Murphy's parents of a 'disciplinary' issue; his parents later reported that they "couldn't have been prouder". He also protected a homeless man who was being attacked while collecting cans. He chased away the attackers and helped the man pick up his cans.[5]
In 1994, Murphy graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School and left to attend The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). He graduated in 1998 with a double major in political science and psychology.[4] Murphy was engaged to his college sweetheart, Heather Duggan, and their wedding was scheduled for November 2005.
In media[edit]
In the 2013 film Lone Survivor, Murphy is portrayed by actor Taylor Kitsch.[34]
Murph: The Protector is a 2013 documentary about Murphy as told by his family and friends.[35]