LT. Michael P. Murphy
United States Navy (SEAL)
May 7, 1976 – June 28, 2005
LT.
Michael P. Murphy (SEAL) was the officer-in-charge of a four-man SEAL
element in support of Operation Red Wings, tasked with finding a key
anti-coalition militia commander near Asadabad, Afghanistan. Shortly
after inserting into the objective area, the SEALs were spotted by three
goat herders who were initially detained and then released. It is
believed the goat herders immediately reported the SEALs’ presence to
Taliban fighters.
A fierce gun battle ensued on the steep face of
the mountain between the SEALs and a much larger enemy force. Despite
the intensity of the firefight and suffering grave gunshot wounds
himself, Murphy is credited with risking his own life to save the lives
of his teammates. Murphy, intent on making contact with headquarters,
but realizing this would be impossible in the extreme terrain where they
were fighting, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own
life moved into the open, where he could gain a better position to
transmit a call to get help for his men.
Moving away from the
protective mountain rocks, he knowingly exposed himself to increased
enemy gunfire. This deliberate and heroic act deprived him of cover and
made him a target for the enemy. While continuing to be fired upon,
Murphy made contact with the SOF Quick Reaction Force at Bagram Air Base
and requested assistance. He calmly provided his unit’s location and
the size of the enemy force while requesting immediate support for his
team. 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. Severely wounded, LT. Murphy
returned to his cover position with his men and continued the battle.
LT. Murphy fought
on, allowing one member of his team (Marcus Luttrell) to escape, before
he was killed. For his selfless actions, LT. Michael Murphy was
posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on October 27,
2007. We honor his sacrifice and memory though The Murph Challenge.
