Lieutenant Michael Murphy

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Navy_050628-N-0000X-004_Navy_file_photo_of_SEAL_Lt._Michael_P._Murphy,_from_Patchogue,_N.Y.jpgU.S. Navy photo [Public domain]“Michael Murphy was blessed with a powerful sense of right and wrong. This sense came from devoted parents who taught him to love his neighbor -- and defend those who could not defend themselves” (President George Bush). Michael Murphy received the Medal of Honor posthumously on October 22, 2007, by President George Bush. Lt. Michael P. Murphy was born May 7, 1976 in Smithtown, New York. He attended Penn State University. He went into the Navy on December 13, 2000 and did Basic Underwater Demolition training in Coronado. He graduated in January 2001. Lieutenant Michael Murphy possess bravery and self-sacrifice, as shown in how he served in the military and put his life on the line to save his team during a firefight. Lieutenant Murphy lost his life in the line of duty in Afghanistan. He gave up his life to save his team from an enemy attack, proving his bravery and his self-sacrificing actions.  

Lieutenant Michael Murphy was a man of true bravery. He did what most people would have never done. Instead of just trying to save himself, he was determined to save his team. “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” (Navy Production Directorate). When Murphy and his team got discovered by the Taliban, he knew he had to do something. He tried to get the word out over the radio. But there was no signal. Knowing that there was no way to request help in their current position, he knew he would have to find a spot that had signal. Unfortunately the only way to get signal was to go to an open and high up area. And that is the exact opposite place you want to be when you're in the enemy's territory. “Murphy, intent on making contact with headquarters, but realizing this would be impossible in the extreme terrain where they were fighting...” (Navy Production Directorate). Knowing that the situation was grave, he stood his ground and made sure he would at least save his team. Murphy knew there were two ways this situation could go. They could stay and fight, but the possibility of them fighting them off was slim because the Taliban greatly outnumbered them. Or Lieutenant Murphy could find a spot in the open in order to contact headquarters and to get help for his team. Lieutenant Murphy knew what he had to do even if it meant putting his life into the hands of the enemy.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Navy_050628-N-0000X-003_Navy_file_photo_of_SEAL_Lt._Michael_P._Murphy,_from_Patchogue,_N.Y.jpgU.S. Navy photo [Public domain]There are only a few people on this earth that would give up their life for another. According to the Navy Production Directorate, “[Lieutenant Murphy] 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” (Navy Production Directorate). As the four-men naval team got discovered by the Taliban, Murphy knew he couldn't just sit there and let his men get taken down. He took it into his own hands and gave up his life for his men. Lieutenant Murphy proved that there is still hope in even the worse situations. “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” (Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy). Unfortunately his life was taken when he was out in the open while getting hold of headquarters. Only a true hero that was dedicated and cared about his team would put his life on the line to save them. He was a man of honor, a man of loyalty, and his comrades were his family. He would do anything that was necessary to save the lives of others. He was truly a selfless and self-sacrificing man. He made sure everyone was safe and sound before he would even think of himself and his situation. Lieutenant Murphy was a great man and will never be forgotten for his heroic actions.

Lieutenant Michael Murphy possess bravery and self-sacrifice, as shown through how he served in the military and put his life on the line to save his team during a firefight. He was a man of honor, a man that would never give up, and always put others before himself. Lieutenant Murphy inspires me to put others before myself and to overcome any situation that comes to me, no matter how big the situation is. Lieutenant Murphy proves that there are real-life heroes in this world and that they aren't only the ones in movies with superpowers.

Work Consulted

"Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy: United States Navy Awarded the Medal of Honor." Military Review, Nov.-Dec. 2007, p. 133. Academic OneFile,   https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A172010739/GPS?u=powa9245&sid=GPS&xid=5062911c. Accessed 29 Apr. 2019.

Mass, Warren. "Navy SEAL honored for heroism in Afghanistan." The New American, 3 Mar. 2008, p. 33. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A176651752/GPS?u=powa9245&sid=GPS&xid=75ce3123. Accessed 29 Apr. 2019.

National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives and Records Administration, georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/10/20071022-11.html.

Navy Production Directorate. “Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy (SEAL), USN.” Medal of Honor: Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy (SEAL), USN,  www.navy.mil/ah_online/moh/murphy.html.

"Navy SEAL Awarded Medal of Honor for action in Afghanistan." Military History, Mar.-Apr. 2008, p. 10. Biography in Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A213310022/GPS?u=powa9245&sid=GPS&xid=7fc18519. Accessed 29 Apr. 2019.