Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, born in Smithtown and raised in Patchogue, New York, dedicated his life to service and leadership. A graduate of Penn State with degrees in political science and psychology, Murphy was commissioned into the Navy in 2000 and went on to earn his place among the elite as a U.S. Navy SEAL.
On June 28, 2005, Murphy led a four-man team in Afghanistan’s Kunar Province during Operation Red Wings, tasked with locating a Taliban leader. The team was ambushed by a vastly superior enemy force, and an intense firefight ensued. Despite being wounded, Murphy moved into open terrain to gain a signal for his satellite phone. Exposing himself to heavy fire, he calmly relayed their position and called for reinforcements.
Murphy’s decision, made at the cost of his life, ensured that help would reach the area and that the story of his team’s courage would not be lost. Of the four SEALs, only one survived.
For his extraordinary valor and sacrifice, Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor—the first U.S. Navy service member to receive it since Vietnam. His legacy endures as a symbol of selfless leadership and devotion to his comrades.
