MOPH Salutes the Family of Lt. Michael P. Murphy on the Christening of DDG-112

(Washington, DC May 2, 2011) – Military Order of the Purple Heart Salutes the Parents and Family of US Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor Recipient, Lt. Michael P. Murphy, upon the Christening of DDG-112, USS Michael Murphy

On the occasion of the christening of DDG-112 USS Michael Murphy, one of the U.S. Navy’s newest and most advanced guided missile warships, the Military Order of the Purple Heart is proud to honor the parents, Daniel and Maureen Murphy for their tireless dedication to honoring the memory of their son, U.S. Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient, Lt. Michael P. Murphy.  The Christening will take place on May 7, 2011 at the General Dynamics facility, Bath Iron Works, in Bath, Maine.

The USS Michael Murphy will be the 62d Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, one of the U.S. Navy’s most advanced, state-of-the-art warships in the fleet.  With a crew size of 323 (23 officers and 300 enlisted), the combination of Aegis, the vertical launching system, and advanced anti-submarine warfare system, advanced anti-aircraft missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles, the Arleigh Burke-class continues the revolution at sea.

Lt. Michael P. Murphy was killed by enemy forces during a reconnaissance mission, Operation Redwing, on June 28, 2005.  Lt. Murphy lead a four-man team tasked with finding a key Taliban leader in the mountainous terrain near Asadabad, Afghanistan, when they came under fire from a much larger enemy force with superior tactical position. Mortally wounded while exposing himself to enemy fire, Murphy knowingly left his position of cover to get a clear signal in order to communicate with his headquarters. While being shot at repeatedly, Murphy calmly provided his unit’s location and requested immediate support for his element. He returned to his cover position to continue the fight until finally succumbing to his wounds.  For his valor and heroism, On October 22, 2007, President George W. Bush posthumously presented the Medal of Honor to the parents of Lt. Michael P. Murphy.  He was the first person to be awarded the medal for actions in Afghanistan, and the first member of the U.S. Navy to receive the award since the Vietnam War.

Clayton Jones, National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is proud to represent the Order at the Christening.  Daniel Murphy, father of LT Michael P. Murphy and himself a Purple Heart recipient, is the Judge Advocate of the MOPH.  Each year, the Murphy family awards an education scholarship in the name of their son through the MOPH Scholarship Program, to a deserving veteran whose service embodied the spirit of Michael’s service and sacrifice.

The organization now known as the “Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc.,” (MOPH) was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all combat wounded veterans and active duty men and women who have received the decoration. Chartered by the Congress, The MOPH is unique among Veteran Service Organizations in that all its members were wounded in combat. For this sacrifice, they were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. With grants from the MOPH Service Foundation, the MOPH and its Ladies Auxiliary promote Patriotism, Fraternalism, and the Preservation of America’s military history. Most importantly, through veteran service, they provide comfort and assistance to all Veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance.  Through the VAVS Program, MOPH volunteers selflessly provide assistance to hospitalized veterans at VA medical facilities and State Veterans Homes.