The Medal of Honor — the highest military award for valor in the U.S. — was recently awarded to Lieutenant Michael Murphy, a Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan in 2005, and was presented to his parents in a ceremony yesterday. From the New York Sun today:

Shot in the back, making a desperate call for help for his men trapped on the side of an Afghanistan cliff, Lieutenant Michael Murphy heard help was on the way, and said simply: “Roger that, sir. Thank you.”

The 29-year-old Navy SEAL from Patchogue gave his life in order to make that call, putting himself in a position exposed to enemy fire but the only one in which he could get a signal.

From the NY Post:

After the 9/11 attacks, fighting for his country became a very personal mission for Michael Murphy, who died before his 30th birthday, his father said.

“It was payback time as far as he was concerned,” Dan Murphy [his father] said.

“He and his team knew that they were going to the land of those that planned, plotted, re cruited and attacked New York City. If anything, Michael was a New York boy.”

More from an editorial in the NY Post:

While tracking a Taliban warlord in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan two years ago, Murphy’s team came upon three wandering goatherds.

The dilemma for the SEALs was dire and immediate: Their mission depended on secrecy, and they had no way of knowing whether these seeming civilians were Taliban sympathizers - or perhaps even Taliban scouts. What should they do?

Letting the goatherds pass, they saw, could cost them their lives. Indeed, for everyone but Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell - who tells the story in his book, “The Lone Survivor” - it ultimately did: The team was ambushed an hour later by nearly 100 Taliban fighters.

Murphy was killed in the ensuing gunfight, but not before braving open fire to signal for help.

Leaving the goatherds free was an act with foreseeable risks. But the alternative was to execute what might have been three completely innocent civilians - and this Murphy and his SEALs could not abide.

They did the right thing and took the consequences - an essentially American act of courage that matches any display of valor in battle.

It’s also a striking illustration of precisely what separates America from its enemies, who regularly target civilians as a political tactic - when they’re not hiding among them.

From the NY Daily News:

“The story of his sacrifice humbles and inspires all who hear it,” Bush said. “While their missions were often carried out in secrecy, their love of country and devotion to each other was always clear. On June 28, 2005, Michael would give his life for these ideals.”

As an officer began reading the citation, Bush reached for Maureen’s hand [Lieutenant Murphy's mother], clutching it as his face suddenly appeared flushed.

He blinked rapidly, betraying the emotion from a tale of valor almost too incredible. Both parents dabbed at their tears as they stood for a long round of applause.

Moments before the emotional ceremony, Murphy’s parents gave Bush a gold dog tag with their son’s name and image on it.

“What we were most touched by was that the President immediately put that on underneath his shirt, and when he made the presentation of the Medal of Honor, he wore that against his chest,” the father said.

From the citation:

While leading a mission to locate a high-level anti-coalition militia leader, Lieutenant Murphy demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. On 28 June 2005, operating in an extremely rugged, enemy-controlled area, Lieutenant Murphy’s team was discovered by anti-coalition militia sympathizers who revealed their position to Taliban fighters. As a result, between 30 and 40 enemy fighters besieged his four-member team.

Demonstrating exceptional resolve, Lieutenant Murphy valiantly led his men in engaging the large enemy force. The ensuing fierce firefight resulted in numerous enemy casualties, as well as the wounding of all four members of his team. Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men. When the primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his beleaguered teammates. Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain and in the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into an open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call. This deliberate heroic act deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire. Finally achieving contact with his headquarters, Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team.

In his final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country and for the cause of freedom. By his selfless leadership, courageous actions, and extraordinary devotion to duty, Lieutenant Murphy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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