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name
MURPHY, Patrick Francis - Date of
birth
14 December 1920 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Fling, Genesee County, Michigan -
Hometown
Genesee County, Michigan
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O1291679 -
Rank
Captain -
Function
Company Commander -
Unit
C Company,
1st Battalion,
331st Infantry Regiment,
83rd Infantry Division
-
Awards
Distinguished Service Cross,
Silver Star,
Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Died of Wounds - Date of
death
15 April 1945 - Place of
death
Walternienburg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| E | 18 | 22 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Patrick J. Murphy (father)
Alice M. (Brady) Murphy (mother)
Francis P. (Smith) Murphy (stepmother)
Esther R. Murphy (sister)
Bernard Murphy (half-brother)
Patricia A. Murphy (half-sister)
Leo E. Murphy (half-brother)
Maureen Murphy (half-sister)
Margaret Murphy (half-sister)
More information
Capt Patrick F. Murphy's mother died when he was only a baby.He volunteered for the Army of the United States in Flint, Michigan on 15 October 1940.
Capt Murphy was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action and disregard for personal safety displayed on 3 March 1945 in Germany.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross Medal posthumously. The citation reads: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in Germany. On 14 April 1945, near Walternienburg, Germany, Captain Murphy forced the surrender of two enemy snipers in a foxhole with accurate rifle fire. When his company was pinned down by a vicious crossfire from sniper's and machine guns, this intrepid officer mounted a tank, manned a machine gun and directed the tank towards the first enemy strong point. Although mortally wounded, he continued to direct his company until they had cleared the enemy strong point and captured a large number of prisoners. Captain Murphy's heroic, inspiring leadership and supreme.devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.wwiimemorial.com, http://83rdinfdivdocs.org, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census / Family Tree
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, US Militaria Forum