February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Lieutenant Murphy, from Patchhogue, Long Island, was killed during a reconnaissance mission, Operation Red Wing, on June 28, 2005 in Afghanistan.
According to the U.S. Navy, Murphy died while leading a four-man team tasked with finding a key Taliban leader.
The team came under fire from a much larger enemy force with superior tactical position.
“Murphy,” according to a U.S. Navy statement, “knowingly left his position of cover to get a clear signal in order to communicate with his headquarters and was mortally wounded while exposing himself to enemy fire.
“While being shot and shot at, Murphy provided his unit’s location and requested immediate support for his element. He returned to his cover position to continue the fight until finally succumbing to his wounds.”
Murphy, who was engaged to marry his fianc