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| Post 372, Martin Ave. at Marlboro, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 (856)665-3889 | |
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VETERAN'S CORNER Heroism can take many forms, especially in wartime situations or sometime when it’s not expected. These thoughts were prompted by a Lounge conversation with the gregarious John Murphy, a Vietnam Vet who presently works as an executive with a South Jersey shipping company and is a VIP in Port activities. In September of 1968, then Artillery Captain Murphy, A Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry of the 11th Brigade, American Division, was part of an amphibious assault from a Naval Landing Craft somewhere in Vietnam. Suddenly a problem ensued. Unknown to anyone, the landing craft had lodged on a sandbar and was stuck in water some eight-foot deep. As the Company began to disembark, the first man to step off the ramp was quickly swept under the swirling waters of the Landing Craft and into the angry backwash of the propeller. I’ll let the Army General Orders, Number #9052, part of the citation lauding Murphy and awarding him the Presidential Soldiers Medal, finish the narrative: “Observing the mishap, Captain Murphy disregarded the danger to his own safety and jumped into the water to the aid of the drowning soldier. “After Captain Murphy had pulled the man from under the landing ramp, the others aboard were able to pull the man to safety. “Captain Murphy's personal heroism, unselfish concern for his fellow soldiers and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the American Division, and the United States Army.” The usually jocular and outgoing Murphy had little to add to the tale, shyly remarking..”it was nothing…”
By Don McDonough
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  To contact American Legion Post 372 email Don McDonough at donmac0412@yahoo.com. Print This Page / Email this site to a friend / Message Board Website Design and Hosting by DesirePC Corporation. Email sales@desirepc.com. http://www.desirepc.com . 2005 Copyright |
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