WASHINGTON — The first Medal of Honor awarded for combat in Afghanistan was presented Monday to the parents of a Navy SEAL mortally wounded two years ago on a hillside in Afghanistan after he sent out an emergency call for reinforcements and continued firing at Taliban insurgents.
President Bush presented the nation’s highest military honor for valor to the family of Lt. Michael Murphy of Patchogue, N.Y.
“With this medal, we acknowledge a debt that will not diminish with time — and can never be repaid,” the president said,
Murphy’s father Dan, and mother Maureen, both cried as they stood next to the president and listened to their son’s heroism recounted.
“There’s a lot of awards in the military, but when you see a Medal of Honor, you know whatever they went through is pretty horrible. You don’t congratulate anyone when you see it,” said Marcus Luttrell, the only member of Murphy’s team to survive the June 28, 2005, firefight.
Murphy, Luttrell and two other SEALs were searching for a terrorist and were spotted by locals, who presumably alerted the Taliban to their presence.
An intense gunbattle ensued, with more than 50 anti-coalition fighters swarming the outnumbered SEALs.
Although wounded, Murphy is credited with risking his own life by moving into the open to transmit a call for help.
“With complete disregard for his own life, he moved into a clearing where his phone would get reception,” Bush said.
Still under fire, the 29-year-old provided his unit’s location and the size of the enemy force. 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 as the enemy closed in.
He then returned to his cover position with his men and continued the battle. A U.S. helicopter sent to rescue the men was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, killing all eight SEALS and eight soldiers aboard.
By the end of the two-hour gunfight, Murphy and two of his comrades were dead. An estimated 35 Taliban were also killed. Luttrell was blown over a ridge and knocked unconscious. He escaped, and was protected by local villagers for several days before he was rescued.
Murphy is the fourth Navy SEAL to earn the award and the first since the Vietnam War.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
