A Memorial Tribute To A Local Hero

In 1996, when I was a Rockland County Legislator, then President Clinton made his first and only visit to Rockland. As a bi-partisan courtesy, Paul Adler kindly invited me to be a member of the Welcoming Committee when the Marine-One Presidential helicopter landed in Tallman Park.After greeting the President, I walked over to the Marine One Presidential chopper to speak with its Marine Corps Pilot. I introduced myself to him and explained that I was former Marine Corps Officer like him and served in the Second Marine Air Wing as an Avionics Officer and asked for permission to take a peek into the cockpit.He then told me his name was Michael Murphy and his Dad’s name was also John Murphy [my name] and that he grew up in Blauvelt.

It was the beginning of a saga of 3 generations of courage and patriotism.

After graduating from St. Joseph Regional High School for Boys in Montvale, Michael attended the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona and upon graduation immediately went on active duty in the Marine Corps. Michael was born to fly, it was his love and he was great at it, otherwise he would not be the President’s pilot.

Fast forward to December 11th, 2000 when lt. Col. Michael lost his life test piloting the then very controversial V-22 Osprey with a crew of 3 when it crashed in North Carolina. All 4 Marines were killed. He was only 38 years old with a wife and 2 children. The V-22 Osprey is a tilt-rotor craft that can fly both vertically and horizontally. It is the only one in the world. And thanks to Michel and his fellow martyr test pilots and crews, the Osprey is one of the Marine Corps’ most important resources, its most important aircraft.

Michael’s Grandfather, Patrick Murphy, had immigrated from County Kerry, Ireland, in the early 1900’s, to the USA and served in WWI before joining the NYPD. Michael’s Dad, the other John Murphy, also joined the Army, in which he initially was assigned to Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before serving in the Korean War, after which he also joined the NYPD.

John had 2 sons, both of whom joined the Marine Corps. Michael’s brother, John, graduated from the Albertus Magnus High School in New City before enlisting in the Corps.

I am comforted to say that the tragedy of Michael’s sacrifice will never be forgotten. Division III of the Ancient Order of Hibernian in Pearl River hosted a fund raiser over a decade ago, at the Irish Cultural Center in Blauvelt, at which the then NYC Police Commissioner, Ray Kelly, also a Marine, and also the father of a Marine Aviator, attended. It raised $10,000 toward the cost of a Memorial to some of those who died test piloting the Osprey. It is in the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park near the National Marine Museum and the Quantico Marine Base in Virginia [where I was stationed for a year]. Two of Orangetown’s Town Councilmen, Denis Troy and Denis O’Donnell joined me in attending the dedication of the Memorial.

On this past Mother’s Day, I reflected on all who have served and their loved ones, like Annie Murphy, wife of a Soldier, Mother of 2 Marines, whose courage and fortitude was the inspirational underlying foundation of her military family. Annie Murphy overcame not only two near-fatal diseases, a serious accident and the loss of a son with incredible dignity and strength. After Michael’s death, Annie became a messenger of comfort to other grieving parents. She too is a genuine hero still bringing comfort to others from her home in Blauvelt.