Fort Bragg pilot presented the Distinguished Flying Cross

Lt. Gen. Frank G. Helmick, commanding general, XVIII Airborne Corps, presented the Distinguished Flying Cross to a pilot assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division on Monday, Feb. 6 in a ceremony held
at the 82nd Airborne Division Museum.

Maj. Brendan P. Murphy, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, is
the recipient of America's oldest military aviation award.

Murphy distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the face
of the enemy of the United States as the Air Mission Command and Pilot in
Command of a CH-47D helicopter on Sept. 5, 2010 during Operation Enduring
Freedom. Murphy's heroic actions while first reinforcing and then extracting
isolated ground forces under sustained enemy contact in extremely hazardous
weather conditions saved the lives of more than 100 coalition forces.

The 2002 West Point graduate played 150's football for two years at the academy. He also is a distinguished 'century man' - walking over 100 hours of area tours as a disciplinary action, like many other great officers in our Army.

"My time at West Point prepared me for leadership decisions that I've had to make over the years," said Murphy.

During his award ceremony, Murphy was joined by his spouse, a JAG officer at Fort Bragg and his parents.