The posthumous award of the nation's highest battlefield honor to a Long Island war hero has become an other black mark for the Gray Lady.
The New York Times carried not a whisper of news yesterday about the bestowal of the Medal of Honor to Navy Lt. Michael Murphy of Patchogue - the first time the honor has been given for action in Afghanistan. More?
Navy SEAL who was killed in Afghanistan will be awarded Medal of Honor
By Jeff Schogol, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, October 12, 2007
Murphy left his protected position to radio for backup, exposing himself to enemy gunfire, a Navy news release said.
“At one point, he was shot in the back causing him to drop the transmitter,” the news release said. “Murphy picked it back up, completed the call and continued firing at the enemy, who was closing in.” Although Murphy was successful in getting a Quick Reaction Force dispatched to the scene, the backup team’s helicopter was shot down, killing all 16 troops aboard. The SEALs continued to fight, but in the end, Murphy and two other SEALs were killed.
On Thursday, Murphy’s family issued the following statement: “We are thrilled by the President’s announcement today, especially because there is now a public recognition of what we knew all along about Michael’s loyalty, devotion and sacrifice to his friends, family, country and especially his SEAL teammates.
“The honor is not just about Michael, it is about his teammates and those who lost their lives that same day.”
Two other servicemembers have posthumously received the Medal of Honor for the war on terrorism, both for service in Iraq: Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham, who died after jumping on a grenade in April 2004; and Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, who was killed in April 2003 at Baghdad International Airport after killing up to 50 Iraqi attackers to allow wounded U.S. troops to be evacuated.
"Everybody came home alive."
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