Movie: Murph: The Protector – Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Michael P. Murphy
MURPH: The Protector is a feature-length
documentary based on LT Michael Murphy’s entire life of honor, courage
and commitment, as told by his friends, family and teammates.
Michael was raised in Patchogue, New York, attended Penn State
University and then joined the U.S. Navy to serve in the SEAL Teams. He
gave his life for his men in 2005 and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2007.
The film premieres March 22nd, 2013 at select Regal Entertainment Group Theatres across the country.
On June 28, 2005, Lt. Murphy was the officer-in-charge
of a four-man SEAL element in support of Operation Red Wing tasked with
finding key anti-coalition militia commander near Asadabad, Afghanistan.
Shortly after inserting into the objective area, the SEALs were spotted
by three goat herders who were initially detained and then released. It
is believed the goat herders immediately reported the SEALs’ presence
to Taliban fighters.
of a four-man SEAL element in support of Operation Red Wing tasked with
finding key anti-coalition militia commander near Asadabad, Afghanistan.
Shortly after inserting into the objective area, the SEALs were spotted
by three goat herders who were initially detained and then released. It
is believed the goat herders immediately reported the SEALs’ presence
to Taliban fighters.
A fierce gun battle ensued on the steep face of the
mountain between the SEALs and a much larger enemy force. Despite the
intensity of the firefight and suffering grave gunshot wounds himself,
Murphy is credited with risking his own life to save the lives of his
teammates. Murphy, intent on making contact with headquarters, but
realizing this would be impossible in the extreme terrain where they
were fighting, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own
life moved into the open, where he could gain a better position to
transmit a call to get help for his men.
mountain between the SEALs and a much larger enemy force. Despite the
intensity of the firefight and suffering grave gunshot wounds himself,
Murphy is credited with risking his own life to save the lives of his
teammates. Murphy, intent on making contact with headquarters, but
realizing this would be impossible in the extreme terrain where they
were fighting, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own
life moved into the open, where he could gain a better position to
transmit a call to get help for his men.
Moving away from the protective mountain rocks, he
knowingly exposed himself to increased enemy gunfire. This deliberate
and heroic act deprived him of cover and made him a target for the
enemy. While continuing to be fired upon, Murphy made contact with the
SOF Quick Reaction Force at Bagram Air Base and requested assistance. He
calmly provided his unit’s location and the size of the enemy force
while requesting immediate support for his team. At one point, he was
shot in the back causing him to drop the transmitter. Murphy picked it
back up, completed the call and continued firing at the enemy who was
closing in. Severely wounded, Lt. Murphy returned to his cover position
with his men and continued the battle.
knowingly exposed himself to increased enemy gunfire. This deliberate
and heroic act deprived him of cover and made him a target for the
enemy. While continuing to be fired upon, Murphy made contact with the
SOF Quick Reaction Force at Bagram Air Base and requested assistance. He
calmly provided his unit’s location and the size of the enemy force
while requesting immediate support for his team. At one point, he was
shot in the back causing him to drop the transmitter. Murphy picked it
back up, completed the call and continued firing at the enemy who was
closing in. Severely wounded, Lt. Murphy returned to his cover position
with his men and continued the battle.
As a result of Murphy’s call, an MH-47 Chinook
helicopter, with eight additional SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers
aboard, was sent in as part of the QRF to extract the four embattled
SEALs. As the Chinook drew nearer to the fight, a rocket-propelled
grenade hit the helicopter, causing it to crash and killing all 16 men
aboard.
helicopter, with eight additional SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers
aboard, was sent in as part of the QRF to extract the four embattled
SEALs. As the Chinook drew nearer to the fight, a rocket-propelled
grenade hit the helicopter, causing it to crash and killing all 16 men
aboard.
On the ground and nearly out of ammunition, the four
SEALs, continued to fight. By the end of a two-hour gunfight that
careened through the hills and over cliffs, Murphy, Gunner’s Mate 2nd
Class (SEAL) Danny Dietz and Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew
Axelson had fallen. An estimated 35 Taliban were also dead. The fourth
SEAL, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SEAL) Marcus Luttrell, was blasted
over a ridge by a rocket-propelled grenade and knocked unconscious.
Though severely wounded, the fourth SEAL and sole survivor, Luttrell,
was able to evade the enemy for nearly a day; after which local
nationals came to his aide, carrying him to a nearby village where they
kept him for three more days. Luttrell was rescued by U.S. Forces on
July 2, 2005.
SEALs, continued to fight. By the end of a two-hour gunfight that
careened through the hills and over cliffs, Murphy, Gunner’s Mate 2nd
Class (SEAL) Danny Dietz and Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew
Axelson had fallen. An estimated 35 Taliban were also dead. The fourth
SEAL, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SEAL) Marcus Luttrell, was blasted
over a ridge by a rocket-propelled grenade and knocked unconscious.
Though severely wounded, the fourth SEAL and sole survivor, Luttrell,
was able to evade the enemy for nearly a day; after which local
nationals came to his aide, carrying him to a nearby village where they
kept him for three more days. Luttrell was rescued by U.S. Forces on
July 2, 2005.
By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit and
inspirational devotion to his men in the face of certain death, Lt.
Murphy was able to relay the position of his unit, an act that
ultimately led to the rescue of Luttrell and the recovery of the remains
of the three who were killed in the battle.
inspirational devotion to his men in the face of certain death, Lt.
Murphy was able to relay the position of his unit, an act that
ultimately led to the rescue of Luttrell and the recovery of the remains
of the three who were killed in the battle.
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Incredible example of courage. Going above and Beyond the Call of Duty. These men inspire me. They give there today for my tomorrow,so we can do and have simple things in life. An act of kindness and sacrifice. These men will always be remembered.