LT. Michael P. Murphy, USN, Memorial Scholarship Foundation
The foundation was formed by Michael Murphy’s parents, Daniel and Maureen, and his brother, John, in August 2005. It was given New York Department of Education approval on August 3, 2005, and incorporated in New York on August 11, 2005, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with the expressed written purpose of providing academic scholarships. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) granted the foundation tax-exempt status on May 4, 2006 (EID # 16-1730124).
The original board of directors consisted of Daniel J. Murphy, Maureen T. Murphy, and John D. Murphy. Since that time, three additional directors have been added: Mike’s best friend, Owen O’Callaghan, a New York City firefighter, and his cousins Catherine Jones and Kristen Bishop.
The foundation provides four scholarships. Two are given through the Patchogue-Medford High School, one through the Suffolk Federal Credit Union and the Long Island Credit Union League to a Suffolk County resident, and one through the Military Order of the Purple Heart in Washington, D.C., to a combatwounded veteran or the child of a Purple Heart recipient. Other organizations that support the foundation include the Suffolk County Prosecutor’s Association, through its annual golf outing; the Long Island Council of Credit Unions; and the Chicago Title Insurance Company. Many other individuals and organizations honor Michael with their donations as well. The foundation in turn also actively supports the Navy SEAL Warrior Fund and the Naval Special Warfare Foundation. To assist in its work and to perpetuate the growing legacy of Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy and his selfless dedication to public service, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this work and any derivatives will be donated to the foundation to further expand its charitable work.
In addition, the foundation lends Michael’s name to numerous fund-raising events in support of the Navy SEAL Warrior Fund, the Naval Special Warfare Foundation, and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
All donations receive a written acknowledgment and may be sent to:
LT. Michael P. Murphy, USN, Memorial Scholarship Foundation
c/o William F. Andes Jr., Esq.
224 Griffing Avenue
Riverhead, NY 11901
Navy SEAL Warrior Fund
Governed by a board of directors, the Navy SEAL Warrior Fund is also a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization (tax ID # 20-2827819; Combined Federal Campaign/ CFC # 11454) established to raise funds in support of families of U.S. Navy SEALs who have died while serving our country, or who are presently serving in harm’s way in trouble spots around the world. The organization, comprised of volunteers from around the country, has no paid employees. All funds raised, after expenses, are used to improve the education, health, and wellness of spouses and children of deceased and active-duty SEALs. The Navy SEAL Warrior Fund is also the largest fund-raising organization for the Naval Special Warfare Foundation.
Contributions may be made to:
Navy SEAL Warrior Fund
162 West 56th, Suite 405
New York, NY 19919
Naval Special Warfare Foundation (NSWF)
To provide educational and motivational support, promote health and welfare programs for the Naval Special Warfare community, and perpetuate the history and heritage of the U.S. naval commandos, the NSWF was incorporated in 2000 as a National Non-Profit Charitable Corporation (tax ID # 31-1728910; CFC # 11454). The NSWF provides multiple scholarship opportunities to dependent children and spouses of active-duty SEALs or SWCC (Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen) and other active-duty military personnel currently serving in NSW commands.
The NSWF also provides computers to the surviving children of Naval Special Warfare personnel killed in training or combat. The program helps ensure that the children are provided one of the basic resources they will need to help them excel in their education. The NSWF also provides numerous health and welfare programs for the Naval Special Warfare community. The NSWF provides airfare so that family members may be present at their loved one’s memorial service and pays for hotel rooms for the family. It organizes a food delivery service for bereaved families that provides them with baskets of necessities often overlooked during stressful times. Additionally, NSWF also provides free financial counseling to widows.
If you would like to make a contribution, the Naval Special Warfare Foundation Web site (www.nswfoundation.org/donate.htm) has a downloadable donation form. Donations may also be made over the phone by calling 1-757-363-7490 or by mail to:
Naval Special Warfare Foundation
P.O. Box 5965
Virginia Beach, VA 23471
SOURCES
It is clearly evident that the level of detail contained in this book came from eyewitnesses directly involved in Operation Red Wings, the rescue effort, and the recovery of the fallen. In some cases pseudonyms were used to protect both them and their families. While their true identities may have been disguised, they know who they are.
Representatives of Naval Special Warfare and the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) reviewed the manuscript to ensure accuracy. Many individual members of these organizations sacrificed precious moments of their free time from hazardous duty around the globe to assist with this effort.
Tape recordings of interviews by the author and his discussions with various individuals, written and electronic communications, and other miscellaneous unpublished documents used as source material in the preparation of this book are in the possession of the author.
Alvarez, Heath. Personal Web site. www.heathalvarez.com (accessed January 3-19, 2009).
Axelson, Cordell. Discussion with author, July 28-29, 2008.
Axelson, Donna. Discussion with author, July 28-29, 2008.
Bisset, Andrew. Interview by author, June 6, 2008.
———. Electronic communications with author, May 9, 2008-October 30, 2009.
Bogenshutz, Maureen. E-mail communication to author, March 5, 2009.
Bonelli, Garry J. Discussion with author, July 28-29, 2008.
Bradley, Myron [pseud.]. Interview by author, October 22, 2008.
———. E-mail communications with author, July 5-6, September 3-12, 2008.
Commander, Navy Region, Mid-Atlantic. Casualty Assistance Calls Officer Guide. N.p: Bureau of Naval Personnel, n.d. Commander, Navy Region, Mid-Atlantic. www.cnrma.navy.mil.
Couch, Dick. The Finishing School: Earning the Navy SEAL Trident. New York: Crown, 2004.
———. The Warrior Elite: The Forging of SEAL Class 228. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2003.
Coyle, Robert. Electronic communications with author, June 6-8, 2008.
DeGhetto, Todd. Interview by author, March 16, 2009.
Dietz, Maria. Discussion with author, July 28-29, 2008.
Easter, Chad [pseud.]. Interview by author, October 16, 2008.
Emmerich, James. Discussion with author, October 30, 2008.
Evans, Nathan. Discussion with author, November 1, 2008.
———. E-mail communications with author, November 6, 2008, January 5, 2009.
Furio, Nannette. Discussion with author, October 31, 2008.
———. E-mail communications with author. November 3, 25, 2008.
Geisen, Gregory. E-mail communications with author, June 4, 2008-September 30, 2009.
Goare, Judy. E-mail communications with author, December 5-7, 2008.
Goodnature, Lori. Discussions with author, July 28-29, 2008.
Haffele, Andrew. E-mail communication to author, January 31, 2009.
———. Interview by author, January 30, 2009.
Healy, Natalie. Discussion with author, July 28-29, 2008.
———. E-mail communication to author, July 28, 2008.
Hernandez, Mark [pseud.]. Discussion with author, July 28-29, 2008.
———. E-mail communications with author, October 5-7, 2008.
———. Interview by author, October 5, 2008.
Kernan, Joseph D. Discussions with author, May 6-7, July 28-29,
2008.
Kristensen, Edward. Discussion with author, October 30, 2008.
Kristensen, Suzanne. Discussion with author, October 30, 2008.
Lasky, Larry. Discussion with author, July 28-29, 2008.
———. E-mail communications with author, July 7-15, 2008.
Luttrell, Marcus. Lone Survivor: The Eye witness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team Ten. New York: Little, Brown, 2007.
Martin, Michael. Discussion with author, May 7, 2008.
———. E-mail communication to author, September 4, 2008.
———. Interview by author, May 20, 2008.
McCain, John. Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life. New York: Random House, 2004.
McCombie, Ryan. Discussion with author, October 28, 2008.
———. E-mail communications with author, November 3-6, 2008.
McElhone, Eddie. Discussion with author, October 30, 2008.
McKenna, Sharon. E-mail communication to author, September 27, 2008.
Murphy, Daniel. Discussions with author, May 2008-December 2009.
———. E-mail communications with author, May 5, 2008-October 30, 2009.
———. Interviews by author, May 20, 2008, January 4, February 19, April 13, 2009.
Murphy, John. E-mail communication to author, October 3, 2008.
———. Interview by author, April 10, 2009.
Murphy, Karen. Discussions with author, October 26-November 2, 2008.
Murphy, Maureen. E-mail communications with author, May 5, 2008-October 15, 2009.
———. Interviews by author, May 28, 2008, January 14, February 11, 2009.
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Naval Special Warfare Command. www.navsoc.navy.mil (accessed December 5-18, 2008).
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O’Callaghan, Kerri. Discussion with author, November 1, 2008.
O’Callaghan, Owen. Discussion with author, November 1, 2008
O’Callaghan, Sean. Discussion with author, November 1, 2008.
Paro, Kent. Discussion with author, October 26, 2008.
———. E-mail communications with author, November 2008-April 2009.
———. Interview by author, November 10, 2008.
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Public Law 109-256. To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 170 East Main Street in Patchogue, New York, as the “Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy Post Office Building.” 109th Cong. August 1, 2006. Congressional Record 152 (2006).
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———. Interview by author, September 4, 2009.
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———. E-mail communications with author, July 3-5, 2008.
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———. Interview by author, October 9, 2008, January 23, 2009.
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INDEX
A
Active Endeavor, Operation
Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS)
Afghanistan: bombing campaign in; goat herders in; Hindu Kush mountains; Korangal Valley; Kunar Province; map of; overview of; priority of war in; rules of engagement in; snatch-and-grab missions; Taliban attacks on government of; Taliban control of; Tora Bora cave complex. See also Taliban
Africa, Horn of
agoge
Arlington National Cemetery
Army Airborne School
Army Night Stalkers. See Night Stalkers (160th SOAR)
Axelson, Matthew: ambush of and attack on; deployment of; early life, training, and expertise of; live-fire IAD; mission assignment; mission execution; Navy Cross award; remains of; rescue operation
B
Banas, Eva
Basic Underwater Demolition/ SEAL (BUD/S) training: academic requirements; acceptance to; appraisal of Michael for; community development during; completion rate; conditioning phase (First Phase); decision to pursue; demolitions training; dive training (Second Phase); graduation from; Hell Week; Indoctrination Course; land-warfare phase (Third Phase); location of; mental challenges; Monster Mash; Physical Readiness Test (PRT); punishment; quitting; recruit mentoring and preparation; training evolutions; warrior culture
bin Laden, Osama
Bishop, Timothy
Bisset, Andrew: appraisal of Michael; funeral for Michael; McCombie call to; Medal of Honor ceremony; military career of; missing status of Michael; OCS preparations; RDAC program; retirement of
Bogenshutz, John
Bogenshutz, Maureen
Bogenshutz Bishop, Kristen
Bradley, Myron: mission briefing; mission execution; mission planning; QRF loss; rescue and recovery operations; rope entanglement and cutting
Brown, Bryan D.
Bryant, Eugene
Bush, George W.
C
Caldwell, Jerry
Calverton National Cemetery
Camp Al Huey
Camp Billy Machen
Camp Chapman
Camp Lemonier
Camp Ouellette
Camp Salerno
Capitol Building
center peel
Close Quarters Defense (CQD) training
cold-weather training
combat leaders, duties of, xiv
Combat Training Tank (CTT)
Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan (CJSOTF-A)
courage motto
Coyle, Robert: casualty call to Murphy family; funeral for Michael; Medal of Honor Flag ceremony
D
Dane, John
DeGhetto, Todd
Dietz, Danny: ambush of and attack on; death of; early life, training, and expertise of; identification of remains of; mission assignment; mission execution; Navy Cross award; ramp ceremony; remains of; SDVT-2 deployment
dive supervisor course
Dover Air Force Base
drown proofing
Duck drops
Duggan, Brianne
Duggan, Dan
Duggan, Heather: casualty call to Duggan family; death of Michael, notification about; Father’s Day message; flag presentation; funeral for Michael; information about Michael, access to; Michael’s remains, return of; missing status of Michael; news story about attack on SEAL team; support network for; wedding plans
Duggan, Lynda
Dunn, Seth
Dunson, John
E
Easter, Chad
Emmerich, James
Europe
F
Father’s Day
fear
flag, folded, meaning of
Fontan, Jacques Jules
foreign policy and
national security
funeral: Calverton National Cemetery; Clayton Funeral Home; family prayer service; flag presentation; funeral procession; graveside ceremony and final resting place; Mass; military honors; preparations for; visitation
Furio, Nannette
G
Gilmore, Steve
Global War on Terror (GWOT)
Goare, Shamus O.
Goodnature, Cory J.
gouge
H
Haffele, Andy
Hall, Chris
Hall of Heroes, xix
Hardy, Nathan
Healy, Daniel R.: awards and decoration; burial and memorials; deployment of; early life, training, and expertise of; live-fire IAD; missing status of; mission briefing; mission planning; orientation briefing; packing stuff before deployment; rescue operation; rope entanglement and cutting
helicopters: Chinook MH-47E helicopter; flare maneuver; QRF and rescue operation
Hell Week
Hernandez, Mark
heroes
H-gear
Hillicke, Eileen
I
immediate action drills (IADs)
inflatable boat, small (IBS)
Intrepid
Iraq
J
Jacoby, Kip Allen
Joint/Combined Exchange Training (JCET)
Jones, Cathy
Jones, Colleen
Jones, Frank
Jones, Kathleen
Jones, Kelly
Joyce, Kevin B.
jump school
Junior Officer Training Course (JOTC)
justice and truth
K
Keenan, Jay
Kernan, Joseph D.
Kerry, Bob
knot tying
Kristensen, Edward
Kristensen, Erik S.: awards and decoration; burial; early life, training, and expertise of; mission briefing; mission execution; mission planning; orientation briefing; request for SEALs; rescue operation; respect for; rope entanglement and cutting; SEAL Team Ten assignment; Shah, threats from; visit to grave of
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