Michael P Murphy was born on the 7th of May, 1976, in Smithtown, NY, and was raised in Patchogue. he played youth soccer and pee-wee football and his father, a Vietnam veteran, was also his coach. In high school, Michael continued on playing sports and also took a Summer job as a lifeguard and even continued this job through college. Michael was known as Murph and The Protector because of two separate occasions where he had protected someone from harm. The first was in 8th grade when he saw a child with special needs being shoved into a locker. It was the only time the principal had to call Michael’s parents. The other time was when he witnessed a homeless man be attacked while collecting cans. Michael chased away the attackers and helped the man pick up his cans.

In 1994, Michael graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School and went on to attend Pennsylvania State University, where he would graduate with a double major in Political Science and Psycology in 1998. After college, Michael had gotten accepted into several Law schools but instead decided to attend SEAL mentoring at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. He did accept an appointment to the US Navy’s Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida, in September of 2000, and on December 13th, Michael became commissioned as an Ensign. He then began Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL, or BUD/S, training in Coronado, California, in January of 2001. He graduated with Class 236.

After BUD/S, Michael attended the US Army Airborne School, SEAL Qualification Training, and SEAL Delivery Vehicle school. After earning his SEAL Trident, Michael checked on board SDV Team ONE in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and in October of 2002, deployed with Foxtrot Platoon to Jordan as part of Exercise Early Victor. After this Tour, Michael was assigned to Special Operations Command Central in Florida and delayed to Qatar in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Once back from Qatar and Djibouti, Michael was deployed once more, but this time to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Red Wings. This mission was a counter-insurgent mission in Kunar Province and involved four members of the US Navy Seals: Michael Murphy, Danny Dietz, Matthew Axelson, and Marcus Luttrell. If any of these names seem familiar to you, it may be because you watched the 2013 film, Lone Survivor, where Michael is portrayed by actor Taylor Kitsch. This mission was to locate and kill or capture a top Taliban leader, Ahmad Shah, who commanded a group of insurgents known as Mountain Tigers. Michael and the team were dropped off by helicopter east of Asadabad near the Pakistan border and after being discovered by a group of goat herders, the team let the herders go and shortly after, nearby Taliban forces were alerted of the team’s presence. Through the fighting that would follow, Michael would display actions worthy of the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and above and beyond the call of duty as the leader of a special reconnaissance element with Naval Special Warfare task unit Afghanistan on 27 and 28 June 2005. While leading a mission to locate a high-level anti-coalition militia leader, Lieutenant Murphy demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Kunar Province, Afghanistan. On 28 June 2005, operating in an extremely rugged enemy-controlled area, Lieutenant Murphy's team was discovered by anti-coalition militia sympathizers, who revealed their position to Taliban fighters. As a result, between 30 and 40 enemy fighters besieged his four member team. Demonstrating exceptional resolve, Lieutenant Murphy valiantly led his men in engaging the large enemy force. The ensuing fierce firefight resulted in numerous enemy casualties, as well as the wounding of all four members of the team. Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men. When the primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his beleaguered teammates. Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain, and in the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call. This deliberate, heroic act deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire. Finally achieving contact with his headquarters, Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team. 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. By his selfless leadership, Lieutenant Murphy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Not mentioned in the citation was the loss of 16 American Special Operations Forces members when their helicopter was shot down when coming to extract Michael and his team. Until 2011, this was the largest loss of life for American forces since the beginning of the invasion and the largest loss for the SEALs since the Vietnam War. The only team member to survive this mission was Marcus Luttrell, who was protected by local villagers and sent a runner to the closest military base in order for a rescue team to locate him.

Six days after the attack, Michael’s remains were found during a large combat search and rescue operation. He was returned to the states and on the 13th of July, 2005, was buried with full military honors at Calverton National Cemetery, in Long Island, NY. For his actions on that day in Afghanistan, Michael had posthumously been awarded the Silver Star. On the 11th of October, 2007, The White House announced that Michael’s Silver Star would be upgraded to the Medal of Honor. On the 22nd of October, 2007, President Bush presented the Medal of Honor to Michael’s parents in a ceremony at the White House. In addition to having his military awards and inscription added to the Hall of Heroes in the Pentagon, the high school where he attended, a post office in his home town, a park in his hometown, a guided missile destroyer, and much more, would all bear his name, in honor, of Michael P Murphy.