Monday, October 22, 2007

Lt Michael Murphy - Medal of Honor


Day is done, gone the sun, From the hills, from the lake, From the skies, All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.......


According to a Navy citation, Murphy and three fellow SEALs were searching for a terrorist in the Afghan mountains on June 28, 2005, when their mission was compromised after they were spotted by locals, who presumably reported their presence and location to the Taliban. A fierce firefight ensued, with more than 50 anti-coalition militia firing on the outnumbered SEALs. Despite the intensity of the firefight, Murphy - already wounded - is credited with risking his own life to save the lives of his comrades by moving into the open for a better position to transmit a call for help. While continuing to be fired upon, Murphy provided his unit’s location and the size of the enemy force. At one point he was shot in the back, causing him to drop the transmitter. Murphy picked it back up, completed the call and continued firing at the enemy who was closing in. Murphy then returned to his cover position with his men and continued the battle.

By the end of the two-hour gunfight, Murphy and two of his comrades were dead. An estimated 35 Taliban were also killed. The fourth member of their team managed to escape and was protected by local villagers for several days before he was rescued.

God be with you, Lieutenant. This country is safer tonight because of the sacrifice of you and your unit. May we never forget...
Say hello to General Patton for me

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Fighting Irish.
Murphy comes from Murchad - meaning sea warrior.

Anonymous said...

Also killed in the same operation was Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Danny P. Dietz, a native of Littleton, Colorado and a graduate of Heritage High School who was awrded the Navy Cross posthumously.