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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

U. S. Army Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun to receive Medal of Honor (VIDEOS)

Chaplain (Captain) Emil J. Kapaun - U.S. Army

On April 11, 2013, President Barack Obama will award Chaplain (Captain) Emil J. Kapaun, U.S. Army, the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry.

Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun, while assigned to Headquarters Company, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism, patriotism, and selfless service between Nov. 1-2, 1950. During the Battle of Unsan, Kapaun was serving with the 3rd Battalion of the 8th Cavalry Regiment. As Chinese Communist forces encircled the battalion, Kapaun moved fearlessly from foxhole to foxhole under direct enemy fire in order to provide comfort and reassurance to the outnumbered Soldiers. He repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to recover wounded men, dragging them to safety. When he couldn't drag them, he dug shallow trenches to shield them from enemy fire. As Chinese forces closed in, Kapaun rejected several chances to escape, instead volunteering to stay behind and care for the wounded. He was taken as a prisoner of war by Chinese forces on Nov. 2, 1950.

After he was captured, Kapaun and other prisoners were marched for several days northward toward prisoner-of-war camps. During the march Kapaun led by example in caring for injured Soldiers, refusing to take a break from carrying the stretchers of the wounded while encouraging others to do their part.

Once inside the dismal prison camps, Kapaun risked his life by sneaking around the camp after dark, foraging for food, caring for the sick, and encouraging his fellow Soldiers to sustain their faith and their humanity. On at least one occasion, he was brutally punished for his disobedience, being forced to sit outside in subzero weather without any garments. When the Chinese instituted a mandatory re-education program, Kapaun patiently and politely rejected every theory put forth by the instructors. Later, Kapaun openly flouted his captors by conducting a sunrise service on Easter morning, 1951.

When Kapaun began to suffer from the physical toll of his captivity, the Chinese transferred him to a filthy, unheated hospital where he died alone. As he was being carried to the hospital, he asked God's forgiveness for his captors, and made his fellow prisoners promise to keep their faith. Chaplain Kapaun died in captivity on May 23, 1951.

Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun repeatedly risked his own life to save the lives of hundreds of fellow Americans. His extraordinary courage, faith and leadership inspired thousands of prisoners to survive hellish conditions, resist enemy indoctrination, and retain their faith in God and country. His actions reflect the utmost credit upon him, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the United States Army.




See more on the U.S Army website

Five Medals of Honor at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum

Photo credit: Soldiers & Sailors Hall & Museum

The Soldiers & Sailors Hall & Museum unveiled a new exhibit of five (5) Medals of Honor, each received by heroes from Pennsylvania.

This display features medals from the Civil War, Indian Campaigns, WWII, Korean War and Vietnam.

Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum in Oakland also inducted 14 new members to its Joseph A. Dugan Jr. Hall of Valor, which includes Medal of Honor recipients but also Pennsylvanians cited for heroism and bravery with the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Airmen's Medal or Soldier's Medal.

The five medals are from the following recipients:

• Pvt. Charles Higby of the 1st Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry who captured the Confederate battle flag during the Appomattox Campaign.

• Sgt. John Kirkwood of Allegheny and Company M, 3rd Cavalry Regiment during the Great Sioux War of 1876-77, received the medal for valor after the Battle of Little Bighorn by tracking Sioux combatants and keeping them pinned down in a ravine, even though he had been shot in the side.

• During World War II, Staff Sgt. John W. Minick of Wall was in the 121st Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, in Germany, where he led a squad through a minefield, silenced two enemy machine gun emplacements and engaged a larger force of German soldiers before being killed in a second minefield.

 • Marine Staff Sgt. William E. Shuck Jr. of Ridgeley, W.Va., was squad leader of Company G in Korea. He led his machine gun squad and a rifle squad in a series of attacks despite his wounds, and kept the enemy at bay until all the dead and wounded were evacuated. He then was killed by a sniper bullet.

• Marine Lance Cpl. William Prom of Mount Troy led a machine gun squad in the Vietnam War and on his own engaged the enemy while his squad reunited to continue their march. Later he came to the aid of a soldier critically wounded and then mounted an attack in full view of the enemy, leading to his death while inspiring his squad to mount a successful counterattack.

Read more about how the medals were found and donated in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article: Five Medals of Honor shown at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum by David Templeton 

Sweet video of Medal of Honor recipient Army Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha's son before ceremony

Before the Medal of Honor ceremony for Army Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha, it was little Colin Romesha who took center stage.

Colin also made it into the president’s remarks:

“Colin is not as shy as Clint,” President Obama noted in his remarks. “He was in the Oval Office, and he was racing around pretty good and sampled a number of the apples before he found the one that was just right.”

See more: Video: Medal of Honor recipient’s son steals the show

See our previous article: President Obama awarding the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Clinton L. Romesha (Video and Transcript)

Twenty-one Medal of Honor recipients and Citizen Before Self honorees

MOH recipients and CSBSH honorees

Twenty-one Medal of Honor recipients gather at the end of a ceremony with the Citizen Service Before Self honorees. Photo credit: By Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes

Read more: National Medal of Honor Day March 25th 2013

National Medal of Honor Day 2013: Medal of Honor Facts

The official blog of the United States Army in recognition of Medal of Honor Day, has presented eight surprising facts about the award.

March 25 marks Medal of Honor Day - a day set aside to pay respects to service members who distinguished themselves through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.

Citations for Medal of Honor recipients describe feats of courage, strength, and resilience. Recipients overcame the paralysis of fear, and in some cases, they persevered in spite of wounds that would normally be so painful as to be disabling. Some of these heroes willingly gave their lives for the sake of their buddies.

While it is worth setting aside a day to remember the extraordinary service and sacrifice symbolized by the Medal of Honor, it is even more important share that legacy with current and future generations.

Bernard J.D. Irwin

1. The earliest actions for which the Medal was awarded took place before the Civil War had even begun (Feb. 13-14, 1861). Bernard J.D. Irwin was an Assistant Surgeon in the Army when he voluntarily went to the rescue of 2d Lt. George N. Bascom who was trapped with 60 members of the 7th Infantry. Irwin and 14 men began the 100-mile trek to Bascom’s forces riding mules. After fighting and capturing Apaches along the way, as well as recovering stolen horses and cattle, Irwin reached Bascom’s forces and helped break the siege. The Medal of Honor was awarded to Irwin on Jan. 24, 1894 - more than 30 years after he performed his heroic deed.

2. Originally, the Medal of Honor was only awarded to enlisted service members. On March 3, 1863, this was extended to include officers as well.

3. There are three versions of the Medal of Honor: U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force. Members of the U.S. Marines Corps and U.S. Coast Guard are eligible to receive the Navy version. Each of the armed services maintains their own regulations governing the award.

Dr. Mary E. Walker

4. Only one woman has received the Medal of Honor and her award was temporarily rescinded. President Andrew Johnson presented the Medal of Honor to Dr. Mary E. Walker on Nov. 11, 1865 for her work as a Contract Acting Assistant Surgeon in a series of battles from First Bull Run in 1861 to the Battle of Atlanta in 1864. Caught by Confederate troops and arrested as a spy, she also spent four months as a Prisoner of War. Although her award was rescinded along with hundreds of others in 1917, upon the passage of legislation that stated the medal could only be given to persons who had engaged in “actual combat with an enemy,” Walker’s Medal of Honor was restored on June 10, 2025 by President Jimmy Carter.Because of her selfless service during the war, Dr. Mary E. Walker became the only woman in U.S. history to receive the Medal of Honor, which was rescinded in 1917 and restored in 1977.

5. The Medal of Honor recommendation process can take in excess of 18 months with intense scrutiny every step of the way because of the need for accuracy. The following organizations and individuals play key roles in the Army Medal of Honor recommendation process: the Soldier’s Chain of Command, a Member of Congress, Department of the Army Personnel Command, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Chief of Staff of the Army, Secretary of the Army, Secretary of Defense and the President. To see a visual depiction of the process, visit http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/steps.html

  Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha and son

6. Children of Medal of Honor recipients are not subject to quotas if they are qualified and desire to attend the U.S. military academies.

7. Medal of Honor recipients have uniform privileges, which allow them to wear their uniforms at any time or place they choose, unlike other military personnel or retirees.

8. Although not required by law or military regulation, service members are encouraged to salute Medal of Honor recipients as a gesture of respect and courtesy regardless of rank or status and, if the recipients are wearing the medal, whether or not they are in uniform. This is the only instance where a Soldier will receive a salute from members of a higher rank.

National Medal of Honor Day March 25th 2013

March 25, 2013, marks the 150th anniversary of the first Medal of Honor awarded.

Our nation’s greatest war heroes - Medal of Honor recipients - will personally present awards to four unsung citizen heroes who’ve saved lives in extraordinary circumstances, during a special ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Approximately 20 Medal of Honor recipients are expected to attend the ceremony.

The recipients will first commemorate Medal of Honor Day, on the 150th anniversary of the Medal’s first presentation, with a wreath-laying at 2:00 at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The recipients will then present the Citizen Service Before Self Honors (CSBSH) awards at 2:30 to four honorees selected from a nationwide campaign for going above and beyond for their fellow man.

The four honorees for the Citizen Service Before Self Honors (CSBSH) are:

• Father Joe Carroll, (San Diego, California) - Developed and ran a multi-faceted homeless support center offering assistance, counseling and job training, that is now modeled throughout the U.S.
• Marcos Ugarte, (Troutdale, Oregon) - 15-year-old boy who saved a younger neighbor from a burning home by climbing a ladder, pushing his way through a window and coaxing the boy to safety.
• Jesse Shaffer III and Jesse Shaffer IV, (Braithwaite, Louisiana) - During Hurricane Isaac, this father-and-son team used their boat to rescue 120 people from their flood-ravaged town after official rescues were called off.

These four honorees were chosen by Medal of Honor recipients from a pool of 23 finalists, announced last month in the CSBSH program that collected hundreds of hero nominations from across the U.S. between September and December 2012. It’s all part of the Medal of Honor Society and Foundation’s mission to share the values of the medal with all Americans.

“We believe that the values of the medal, courage, sacrifice and selflessness are present in all Americans. These four hometown heroes have demonstrated these values by acting courageously to change fate. We celebrate these heroes today, and thank them for the hope they give us,” said Medal of Honor Society President Hal Fritz.

Citizen Service nominations were made online by Members of Congress, police and fire officials, mayors, governors and ordinary citizens. Nominations for heroes surrounding the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in December are being handled separately later this year.

The complete list of CSBSH finalists, including details of their heroic stories, and more information on the CSBSH program is available at www.csbsh.org. 

President Obama to award MOH to Chaplain (Captain) Emil J. Kapaun

Chaplain (Captain) Emil J. Kapaun

On April 11, President Barack Obama will award Chaplain (Captain) Emil J. Kapaun, U.S. Army, the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry.

Chaplain Kapaun will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for his extraordinary heroism while serving with the 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy at Unsan, Korea and as a prisoner of war from November 1-2, 1950.

When Chinese Communist Forces viciously attacked friendly elements, Chaplain Kapaun calmly walked through withering enemy fire in order to provide comfort and medical aid to his comrades. When they found themselves surrounded by the enemy, the able-bodied men were ordered to evacuate. Chaplain Kapaun, fully aware of his certain capture, elected to stay behind with the wounded. As hand-to-hand combat ensued, he continued to make rounds. As enemy forces approached the American position, Chaplain Kapaun noticed an injured Chinese officer amongst the wounded and convinced him to negotiate the safe surrender of the American forces. Shortly after his capture, Chaplain Kapaun bravely pushed aside an enemy soldier preparing to execute a comrade, thus saving a life and inspiring all those present to remain and fight the enemy until captured.

Chaplain Kapaun’s nephew, Ray Kapaun, and family will join the President at the White House to commemorate his example of selfless service and sacrifice.

Medal of Honor Recipients visit the New York Stock Exchange and ring The Closing Bell

America’s Medal of Honor Recipients ring the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange on March 21, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dario Cantatore/NYSE Euronext) 2013 NYSE Euronext

Seven Medal of Honor recipients at "Heroes Challenge" Event

Stater Bros. Charities Dave Stockton Heroes Challenge has raised nearly $3 million for Southern California charities and has become the largest charity golf event in the region. This year's tournament will be held once again at the region's premier Victoria Club Golf Course in Riverside, California on Monday, March 11, 2013.

This year's "Heroes Challenge" will bring together sixteen of local legend Dave Stockton 's PGA Tour friends, seven Medal of Honor Recipients and several Celebrities.

In addition to the "Heroes Challenge", seven Medal of Honor Recipients: Harvey C."Barney" Barnum, Jr., Salvatore A. Giunta, Robert J. Modrzejewski, Robert M. Patterson, Ronald E. Ray, James A. Taylor, and Jay R. Vargas who have each received the highest military decoration awarded by our nation, will attend an event at California State University, San Bernardino on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, where they will share their experiences with an auditorium filled with local JROTC Units and members of veterans' organizations from throughout the region.