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CONGRESS RENAMES ALBUQUERQUE VA HOSPITAL
FOR "JERRY" MURPHY -- Named in memory of
Raymond
"Jerry" Murphy, the Pueblo native who received
the Medal of Honor during the Korean War.
Raymond "Jerry" Murphy
Story here...
http://www.chieftain.
com/metro/1182837707/2
Story below:
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Congress renames VA hospital for ‘Jerry’ Murphy
Murphy served as director of the Albuquerque
hospital that now will bear his name.
By PETER ROPER
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
House lawmakers on a unanimous voice vote agreed Monday to rename the
Albuquerque (N.M.) Veterans Administration Medical Center in memory of
Raymond “Jerry” Murphy, the Pueblo native who received the Medal of
Honor during the Korean War and went on to work as a VA administrator
and volunteer for more than 23 years.
Murphy, 77, died April 6 at a Pueblo VA nursing home and was remembered
by his many local friends at a memorial service at Sacred Heart
Cathedral several days later. He was buried at Santa Fe National
Cemetery.
The soft-spoken former Marine was a hero in two states. Faithful in
coming home to Pueblo whenever he was invited, Murphy often spoke at
local schools and took part in local ceremonies honoring Pueblo's
veterans.
Yet, he also was beloved in New Mexico, where he moved after leaving the
Marines in 1954. Murphy was director of veterans services at the VA
center in Albuquerque for 23 years before retiring. After that, he
continued to volunteer at the hospital.
"Many of the veterans who Jerry pushed around in their wheelchairs never
knew who Jerry was, he was that kind of man - soft-spoken, humble, the
epitome of service," said Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M. , who sponsored
legislation to name the Albuquerque VA center after Murphy.
The measure approved by the House on Monday was a Senate bill offered by
New Mexico's Sens. Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman. It now goes to
President Bush for his signature.
Murphy's story is well-known in Pueblo. He grew up here, attended local
Catholic schools and then went to Adams State College. Following his
graduation, he joined the Marines and became a platoon leader in Korea.
Due to return to the U.S., Murphy extended his combat tour in Korea in
order to lead his men during an attack on a Chinese position in February
1953.
On Feb. 3, Murphy was commanding the reserve evacuation platoon when
several platoons assaulted a heavily fortified hill in North Korea. When
the attack stalled, Murphy went up the hill to find out why wounded
Marines were not being sent down, Murphy discovered the other platoon
leaders had been killed or wounded.
Taking command, he organized the retreat from the hill, killing several
Chinese soldiers in close combat while he covered the withdrawal of his
men. Making repeated trips back up the hill to retrieve fallen Marines,
Murphy was wounded twice, but refused any medical care until all his
troops were off the hill or their bodies recovered.
Lawmakers who eulogized Murphy during the floor debate on Monday
included Wilson as well as Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., and Rep. Ginny
Brown-Waite, R-Fla.
Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., was en route back to Washington, D.C. on
Monday but issued a statement of his support for the measure.
"His resolute and inspiring leadership, exceptional fortitude and great
personal valor, reflects the highest credit on Jerry Murphy," Salazar
said. "He is most deserving of this honor. I am proud that Jerry Murphy
was born and raised in Pueblo and he will be remembered by many for his
courage and honor."
The bill was passed by voice vote Monday because it was not expected to
be controversial. It was among four bills passed naming VA facilities
after Medal of Honor recipients.
The others honored were:
Ernest Childers, the first American Indian to receive the Medal of
Honor. A VA clinic in Tulsa, Okla., is being named for him. Childers was
an Army platoon leader in Italy during World War II and single-handedly
attacked and destroyed several German machine guns that had his men
pinned down. Childers, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, died on March
17, 2005.
Army Pfc. Charles George was part of a night raiding party on a
Chinese-held hill during the Korean War. While covering the withdrawal
of his fellow soldiers on Nov. 30, 1952, George threw himself on top of
an enemy grenade to protect his nearby comrades. George died of his
wounds. A VA medical center in Asheville, N.C., is being renamed for
him.
Oscar G. Johnson of Iron Mountain, Mich., was an Army sergeant during
World War II when his infantry company was ordered to hold the left
flank during a battle near Scarperia, Italy. Under constant fire,
Johnson's company was entirely killed or wounded, leaving him the lone
soldier able to fight back during a day and night of combat. Holding his
position, Johnson was credited with killing more than 40 enemy soldiers
and capturing another 23, while aiding his own wounded comrades. The VA
center in Iron Mountain is being named for him. Johnson died in 1998.
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Larry Scott --
