thedrifter
10-09-08, 02:40 PM
Geronimo, Colonel Murphy
Posted By Blackfive
Awesome article about Colonel Bob Murphy being laid to rest (probably in the front leaning rest position)...
The paratroopers of WWII, Korea and Viet Nam were my role models. Bob Murphy enlisted at 17, fought in several campaigns before D-Day, and was the first paratrooper on the ground in St. Mere Eglise, France. He was a Pathfinder (A-505), first in, last out.
From Boston.com:
...One pathfinder job was to mark the drop zones for the paratroopers to follow. "Bob was the first on the ground and the last to leave," Nightingale said.
Mr. Murphy's role as paratrooper in the Normandy landing is depicted in Cornelius Ryan's book "The Longest Day" and the film based on it, as well as in Mr. Murphy's own book, "No Better Place to Die."
Mr. Murphy, who retired from the Army as a highly decorated colonel and became a Boston lawyer and state assistant attorney general, died of cancer at Cape Cod Hospital on Oct. 3. He was 83 and had lived in South Dennis and Bonita Springs, Fla...
Colonel Murphy passed away on Friday after a fight with cancer. On Sunday, 2,000 townspeople of St. Mere-Eglise turned out for a funeral to honor him.
As Colonel Murphy was laid to rest yesterday in Massachusets, an honor guard from the 82nd Airborne Division was there for him.
Godspeed, Colonel. I'm sure you executed the most perfect PLF into Heaven.
Airborne...
Update: A film is being made from his book "No Better Place to Die". Dale Dye is the director.
'Longest Day' Soldier Buried With Honors
Murphy Family Mourns Lost Hero
POSTED: 7:21 am EDT October 9, 2008
UPDATED: 7:46 am EDT October 9, 2008
For most of the family and friends who knew him, these were the qualities embodied by a decorated World War II veteran who gave his life to this country.
Accolades, however, aren't what Col. Bob Murphy lived for. His mission was to secure the legacy of so many who gave their lives alonside him on D-Day, when the U.S. launched the battle that would help end the war.
So, on a warm, fall day on Cape Cod, dozens said goodbye to an old soldier with full military honors -- men in uniform and gun salutes.
Robert Murphy, 83, retired colonel and distinguished member of the 82nd Airborne Division was laid to rest.
In June 1944, he posed with his fellow pathfinders just hours before the great Normandy Invasion on D-Day.
Then only 17 years old, a young Private Murphy would be the first to parachute into France. Using the lights and radar that he carried, the teenage soldier helped guide the invasion that turned the tide against the Nazis.
"The armed enemy was there waiting for them. And they did it without fear. They did it because that's what was asked of them," his daughter Christina Murphy Mazgelis said.
Every year until well into his 60s, Murphy would re-enact his jump. He returned to tiny St. Mere Eglise, the town that honored him by naming the street where he landed Rue Robert Murphy.
Every year the townspeople would remember and celebrate the dashing, aging pathfinder, who was regarded with something nearing adoration.
Even Hollywood depicted Murphy's history-making moment by including it in the epic 1960's film "The Longest Day".
"You know, his generation was leaps and bounds from where we are today. Especially the youth. The idea of giving up their life for their country. Sacrifice and doing what's right for their family at home, their neighborhood, their community," his grandson Ryan Murphy said.
Murphy's funeral had all the military honor and dignity that a true American hero deserved. But as they mourned Murphy, his family worried whether people will remember the feats of the greatest generation.
"It's important for us to keep that memory alive. To say you need to remember these people that allowed you and your family to live a great life and be free," Ryan Murphy said.
Video
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/17665955/index.html
Ellie
Posted By Blackfive
Awesome article about Colonel Bob Murphy being laid to rest (probably in the front leaning rest position)...
The paratroopers of WWII, Korea and Viet Nam were my role models. Bob Murphy enlisted at 17, fought in several campaigns before D-Day, and was the first paratrooper on the ground in St. Mere Eglise, France. He was a Pathfinder (A-505), first in, last out.
From Boston.com:
...One pathfinder job was to mark the drop zones for the paratroopers to follow. "Bob was the first on the ground and the last to leave," Nightingale said.
Mr. Murphy's role as paratrooper in the Normandy landing is depicted in Cornelius Ryan's book "The Longest Day" and the film based on it, as well as in Mr. Murphy's own book, "No Better Place to Die."
Mr. Murphy, who retired from the Army as a highly decorated colonel and became a Boston lawyer and state assistant attorney general, died of cancer at Cape Cod Hospital on Oct. 3. He was 83 and had lived in South Dennis and Bonita Springs, Fla...
Colonel Murphy passed away on Friday after a fight with cancer. On Sunday, 2,000 townspeople of St. Mere-Eglise turned out for a funeral to honor him.
As Colonel Murphy was laid to rest yesterday in Massachusets, an honor guard from the 82nd Airborne Division was there for him.
Godspeed, Colonel. I'm sure you executed the most perfect PLF into Heaven.
Airborne...
Update: A film is being made from his book "No Better Place to Die". Dale Dye is the director.
'Longest Day' Soldier Buried With Honors
Murphy Family Mourns Lost Hero
POSTED: 7:21 am EDT October 9, 2008
UPDATED: 7:46 am EDT October 9, 2008
For most of the family and friends who knew him, these were the qualities embodied by a decorated World War II veteran who gave his life to this country.
Accolades, however, aren't what Col. Bob Murphy lived for. His mission was to secure the legacy of so many who gave their lives alonside him on D-Day, when the U.S. launched the battle that would help end the war.
So, on a warm, fall day on Cape Cod, dozens said goodbye to an old soldier with full military honors -- men in uniform and gun salutes.
Robert Murphy, 83, retired colonel and distinguished member of the 82nd Airborne Division was laid to rest.
In June 1944, he posed with his fellow pathfinders just hours before the great Normandy Invasion on D-Day.
Then only 17 years old, a young Private Murphy would be the first to parachute into France. Using the lights and radar that he carried, the teenage soldier helped guide the invasion that turned the tide against the Nazis.
"The armed enemy was there waiting for them. And they did it without fear. They did it because that's what was asked of them," his daughter Christina Murphy Mazgelis said.
Every year until well into his 60s, Murphy would re-enact his jump. He returned to tiny St. Mere Eglise, the town that honored him by naming the street where he landed Rue Robert Murphy.
Every year the townspeople would remember and celebrate the dashing, aging pathfinder, who was regarded with something nearing adoration.
Even Hollywood depicted Murphy's history-making moment by including it in the epic 1960's film "The Longest Day".
"You know, his generation was leaps and bounds from where we are today. Especially the youth. The idea of giving up their life for their country. Sacrifice and doing what's right for their family at home, their neighborhood, their community," his grandson Ryan Murphy said.
Murphy's funeral had all the military honor and dignity that a true American hero deserved. But as they mourned Murphy, his family worried whether people will remember the feats of the greatest generation.
"It's important for us to keep that memory alive. To say you need to remember these people that allowed you and your family to live a great life and be free," Ryan Murphy said.
Video
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/17665955/index.html
Ellie