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TAPS
Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night. |
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BORN:
June 20, 1924 at Kingston, TX
Entered Service in the US
Army from Dallas, TX
Earned the Medal of Honor during World War II For heroism on
January 26, 1945 at Holtzwihr, France
DIED: May
28, 1971 at the age of 46
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Second
Lieutenant Murphy's company was attacked by six tanks and waves
of infantry. He ordered his men to withdraw to prepared
positions in a woods, while he remained forward at his command
post and continued to give fire directions to the artillery by
telephone. Behind him one of our tank destroyers received a
direct hit and began to burn. Its crew withdrew to the woods.
Murphy continued to direct artillery fire which killed large
numbers of the advancing enemy infantry. With the enemy tanks
abreast of his position, he climbed on the burning tank
destroyer, which was in danger of blowing up at any moment, and
employed its .50 caliber machinegun against the enemy. Alone and
exposed to German fire from three sides, his deadly fire killed
dozens of Germans and caused their attack to waver. For an hour
the Germans tried every available weapon to kill Lieutenant
Murphy, but he held his position and wiped out a squad which was
trying to creep up unnoticed on his right flank. Germans came
close as ten yards, only to be mowed down by his fire. He
received a leg wound, but continued the single-handed fight
until his ammunition was exhausted. He then made his way to his
company, refused medical attention, and organized the company in
a counterattack.
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