Frederick C. Murphy


Frederick C. Murphy was a recipient of the Medal of Honor during World War II while serving as a medic in the US 65th Infantry Division.

Background

Murphy was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and lived in Quincy and attended the Thayer Academy in Braintree from where he graduated in 1939. He entered the University of Pennsylvania later that year. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 caused him to attempt to enlist with the U.S. Army. He was denied after failing two physical examinations and classified 4-F. After corrective back surgery, he successfully enlisted in November 1943 at Weymouth where he then lived. He became a medic in the U.S. Army 259th Infantry of the 65th Infantry Division. His basic training was at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, and his medical and surgical technician training was at the Fitzsimons General Hospital in Denver, Colorado.

Medal of Honor citation

PFC Murphy is buried at Lorraine Cemetery north of Saint-Avold, Lorraine, France. He left a wife and a daughter born two months after his death.

Namesakes

A victory ship, hull number 821, the USAT Private Frederick C Murphy, was named in his honor. The ship had originally been named SS Maritime Victory when it launched in 1945. It displaced 7,607 gross tons, and had an overall length of 455 feet, and beam of 62 feet. This ship was moored at Beaumont Reserve and was sold for scrap in 2008.
Murphy Barracks in Stuttgart Germany was named for Pvt. Murphy.
The National Archives facility in Waltham, Massachusetts was named the Frederick C. Murphy Federal Center to honor Murphy.
Frederick C Murphy Primary school in Weymouth, MA.