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Michael Murphy

by Gavin Gabriella from San Diego, California in United States

 "With complete disregard for his own life, he moved into a clearing where his phone would get reception. He made the call, and Michael then fell under heavy fire. Yet his grace and upbringing never deserted him. Though severely wounded, he said 'thank you' before hanging up, and returned to the fight -- before losing his life." - George W. Bush

The sound of fracturing leaves filled the atmosphere as four battle-hardened men trekked through the wilderness. These were no regular men, these were Navy SEALs, elite soldiers sent into combat in dire situations. Of those men, Michael Murphy, was present. Michael Murphy lived in the beautiful Long Island with his parents. Michael was a sociable guy. He attended Pennsylvania State University and majored in Political Science. Michael told his parents he wanted to be a SEAL, and they supported his decision without a doubt. Michael proved he was a born leader in his training. Whatever Michael did, he did it 110%, even if that meant risking his life for his team. Michael Murphy is a hero because he put his life in the crosshairs for the safety of his SEAL team and the United States of America.

135039Michael MurphyU.S. Navy photo (RELEASED) 071001-N-0000X-001) [Public domain]Michael had a distinct fighting spirit. He enlisted in the Navy to battle for his country and his team. On the fateful day of June 28th, 2005, a four-man team assembled in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. A simple reconnaissance mission evolved into an uphill firefight (Luttrell and Robinson). Michael and his teammate Danny Dietz were stuck at the lowermost part of the Korengal Valley. Eighty to 200 insurgents reigned automatic fire from above (Luttrell and Robinson). Michael kept his composure and led his team into a soon-to-be disaster. Michael’s determination and bravery to put his life on the line, even when the odds were against him, make him courageous. The four-man team was cornered by attackers at the cliff of the mountainside. They had nowhere to seek cover or run away. Michael decided to dive off the cliffside with the rest of the men hesitantly following, “I started to move, but Mikey, like the brilliant officer he was, had appreciated the situation and already called it. ‘Fall back!’ Fall back!. More like fall off--the freakin’ mountain, that is” (Luttrell and Robinson). Michael showed incredible courageousness in this action. Michael fully relied on his training and determination to make the right decision, even when being shot at with assault rifles. In turn, he saved his team from being mortally wounded in the firefight. As Michael fell from the cliffside, he sustained a gunshot to his stomach. “Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men” (MedalOfHonor). This injury did not anger him, or sadden him. It made him only more focused and content. While performing aid on his wound, he led the men to cover. This action hid his team from the enemy and gave them time to gain composure. This takes bravery and leadership to make this call.

Michael was intelligent and could adapt to every situation thrown at him. This was simply his training getting put to work. From tumbling down a hill and getting shot at, Michael pushed through the pain and stayed focused and straight-minded. Michael was built to be strong and adaptable through intense vigorous training. This meant he could traverse through a space he had no recollection of, and know where he was going within seconds. Michael’s intelligence and leadership to lead his team into uncharted terrain in a new place shows he is adaptable. Michael was wounded multiple times, and he ignored the pain to fight for his brothers. “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). Michael was able to inflict damage on enemy forces, with gunshot wounds. He took the situation and adapted to it. “Despite everything, Mikey laughed, and then I noticed he’d been shot during the fall. There was blood pumping out of his stomach” (Luttrell and Robinson). This is also a great example of how he fought tremendously to fight the pain to save his team from grave danger. Michael shows a colossal amount of true fighting spirit in this act of bravery.

Not only is Michael courageous and adaptable, but he is also an inspiration. Michael was just a normal sociable guy, a good man to be around and look up to. He was a leader to his SEAL team and a leader for his family. When Michael went to battle, he only thought about his family and what he was doing to protect them. Michael’s friendliness and love of his team, together make him an inspiration for all. Michael was loved by all in his neighborhood, “Mr. and Mrs. Murphy were told that their son was not on the helicopter but already on the ground in the operation, and his fate was unknown, said Lieutenant Murphy's aunt, Kathleen, a Navy senior chief petty officer stationed in Norfolk, Va. ‘When he was missing, everybody from the neighborhood, policemen, everybody, came around to the house to say that he was in their prayers,'' she said” (Beller and Lambertand). Michael was well known in his town. He was known as a family man and a soldier. This is why countless people gave their wishes to his family. Many soldiers look up to Murphy as a role model, “Mikey was ignoring his wound and fighting like a SEAL officer should, uncompromising, steady, hard-eyed, and professional" (Luttrell and Robinson). He was a stand-out soldier who fought hard. He never thought twice about wounds or pain, he only thought about his brothers he was fighting alongside, and his family at home.

The one thing Michael could not foresee was his death on that same cliffside he fell from. As his team was fighting for a reception to call back up, Michael got an idea. Michael hiked to the cliffside, marched to the highest point, and called for a reception, in turn, exposing himself to 40 waiting attackers. This action cost him his life, but this also allowed the lone survivor of his team to escape. Michael is a true hero to his team and the world. His courageousness, adaptability, and quick thinking saved his teammate's life. He inspired me and everyone who heard his story. Michael’s actions make him a hero, “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” (MedalOfHonor). Michael did all his fighting to keep his country, friends, and family safe. His heroism allowed his teammate to escape and live a normal life, he would've done anything for his brothers in combat. Lt. Michael P. Murphy was a friend, a family man, a soldier, and most importantly a hero.

Work Cited

Beller, and Bruce Lambertand Peter. "L.I. Navy Seal, Missing Since Attack in Afghanistan, Is Dead."

New York Times, 7 July 2005, p. B4(L). Student Resources In Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A133823964/SUIC?u=powa9245&sid=SUIC&xid=76cef585.

Luttrell, Marcus, and Patrick Robinson. Lone Survivor: the Eyewitness Account of Operation         

Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10. Thorndike Press, a Part of Gale, Cengage Learning, 2014.

Murphy, Dan. “The Murph Challenge 2018.” The Murph Challenge 2019,

themurphchallenge.com/pages/lt-michael-p-murphy

“MedalOfHonor.” CMOHS.org - Lieutenant MURPHY, MICHAEL P., U.S. Navy,

www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/2199/murphy-michael-p.php.

Page created on 4/10/2019 6:18:26 PM

Last edited 5/16/2019 4:26:36 PM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.

Related Links

President Bush Presents Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, U.S. Navy - President Bush honoring Michael P. Murphy at the White House
LIEUTENANT MICHAEL P. MURPHY (SEAL), USN - Michael P Murphy's Biography and life in the Navy
Michael P Murphy - Michael's awards and contributions

Extra Info

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.jpg