LT Michael Murphy, PSU graduate and American Hero

This week in my blog about Penn State life I would like to take the time to tell the story of a hero that graduated from Penn State. The hero I am going to talk about is Navy SEAL Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy who was killed in action during the campaign in Afghanistan. LT Michael “Murph” Murphy was born in Long Island, New York and was active in sports and even was a lifeguard at his local beach.

Lt. Murphy attended Penn State from 1994 to 1998 were he was a great ice hockey player and an exceptional student who majored in political science and psychology. Murphy graduated with honors as well. After he graduated Murphy made a life changing decision and decided to abandon his dreams of going to law school and exchanged his dream of being a lawyer with the dream of becoming an officer in the Navy and a member of the elite, special forces group: the Navy SEALs. In September 2000, Murphy attended Navy Officer Candidate School. Murphy was commissioned an officer and immediately began training as a SEAL in Coronado, California.

Lt. Murphy was sent to fight in the war on terror in Afghanistan after serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. On June 28^th, 2005 Murphy was tasked with leading a four man in support of a much larger operation when three goat herder’s gave up Lt Murphy and his men to Taliban forces.

The Taliban had a much larger force but Murphy and his men inflicted heavy losses on the enemy force and displayed outstanding heroism even after the entire rescue force that was supposed to extract the SEALs was killed by a rocket. Murphy fought on and repeatedly exposed himself to fire so that his men would live. For his actions, Murphy was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest military award available. In order to enlighten everybody on Lt. Murphy’s courage, heroism, and sacrifice, you can visit this sight to view his full citation- http://www.navy.mil/moh/mpmurphy/oc.html

                LIEUTENANT MICHAEL P. MURPHYLearning about Lt. Michael Murphy makes me proud yet again of this university and the people it produces. I am also proud to strive to serve in the same military that Lt. Murphy so bravely served in.  Penn State was extremely lucky to have Lt. Murphy study here. He was a true hero who embodied the spirit of selfless service to our great nation.

Information and images obtained from: http://www.navy.mil/moh/mpmurphy/oc.html

Here is a new movie that depicts actions of Navy SEALs such as Murphy. The movie features actual Navy SEALs or I would not have included it. This can be a portrayal of what SEALs like Murphy went and go through. It is called Act of Valor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw2hI5Y8VI8