[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 43 (Monday, October 29, 2007)]
[Pages 1396-1398]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Presenting Posthumously the Congressional Medal of Honor to 
Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy

October 22, 2007

    Please be seated. Good afternoon, and welcome to the White House. 
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that a President 
can bestow. It recognizes gallantry that goes above and beyond the call 
of duty in the face of an enemy attack. The tradition of awarding this 
honor began during the Civil War. And many of those who have received 
the medal have given their lives in the action that earned it.

[[Page 1397]]

    Today, we add Lieutenant Michael Murphy's name to the list of 
recipients who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Deep in the mountains 
of Afghanistan, this brave officer gave his life in defense of his 
fellow Navy SEALs. Two years later, the story of his sacrifice humbles 
and inspires all who hear it. And by presenting Michael Murphy's family 
with the Medal of Honor that he earned, a grateful nation remembers the 
courage of this proud Navy SEAL.
    I welcome the Vice President; Senator Ted Stevens; Senator Chuck 
Schumer, from Lieutenant Murphy's home State. I appreciate very much the 
fact that Congressman Tim Bishop, from Lieutenant Murphy's district, is 
with us today. Welcome. Thank you all for coming.
    I appreciate the fact that Deputy Secretary Gordon England has 
joined us; Secretary Pete Geren of the Army; Secretary Don Winter of the 
Navy; Secretary Mike Wynne of the Air Force; Admiral Mike Mullen, 
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs; Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval 
Operations; and all who wear the nation's uniform. Welcome.
    I appreciate the fact that we've got Barney Barnum, Tom Kelley, 
Tommy Norris, and Mike Thornton, Medal of Honor recipients, with us 
today.
    We do welcome Dan Murphy and Maureen Murphy, father and mother of 
Michael Murphy; John Murphy, his brother; and other family members that 
are with us today.
    It's my honor to welcome all the friends and comrades of Lieutenant 
Michael Murphy here to the White House. And I want to thank Chaplain Bob 
Burt, Chief of Chaplains, for his opening prayer.
    Looking back on his childhood in Patchogue, New York, you might say 
that Michael Murphy was born to be a Navy SEAL. SEALs get their name 
from operating by sea, air, and land--and even as a toddler, Michael 
could find his way through any obstacle. When he was just 18 months old, 
he darted across a neighbor's yard and dove into the swimming pool. By 
the time his frantic parents reached him, Michael had swum to the other 
side with a big smile on his face. As he grew older, Michael learned to 
swim from one side of a nearby lake to the other, and he developed into 
a talented all-around athlete.
    But beyond his physical strength, Michael Murphy was blessed with a 
powerful sense of right and wrong. This sense came from devoted parents 
who taught him to love his neighbor and defend those who could not 
defend themselves. Well, Michael took these lessons to heart. One day in 
school, he got into a scuffle sticking up for a student with a 
disability. It's the only time his parents ever got a phone call from 
the principal, and they couldn't have been prouder. Michael's passion 
for helping others led him to become a caring brother, a tutor, a 
lifeguard, and eventually, a member of the United States Armed Forces.
    Michael's decision to join the military wasn't an easy one for his 
family. As a Purple Heart recipient during Vietnam, Michael's father 
understood the sacrifices that accompany a life of service. He also 
understood that his son was prepared to make these sacrifices. After 
graduating from Penn State with honors, Michael accepted a commission in 
the Navy and later set off for SEAL training. Fewer than a third of 
those who begin this intense training program graduate to become Navy 
SEALs. Yet there was little doubt about the determined lieutenant from 
New York. And in 2002, Michael earned his Navy SEAL Trident.
    Michael also earned the respect of his men. They remember a wise-
cracking friend who went by ``Mikey'' or ``Murph.'' They remember a 
patriot who wore a New York City firehouse patch on his uniform in honor 
of the heroes of 9/11. And they remember an officer who respected their 
opinions and led them with an understated, yet unmistakable, sense of 
command. Together, Michael and his fellow SEALs deployed multiple times 
around the world in the war against the extremists and radicals. And 
while their missions were often carried out in secrecy, their love of 
country and devotion to each other was always clear.
    On June 28th, 2005, Michael would give his life for these ideals. 
While conducting surveillance on a mountain ridge in Afghanistan, he and 
three fellow SEALs were surrounded by a much larger enemy force. Their

[[Page 1398]]

only escape was down the side of a mountain--and the SEALs launched a 
valiant counterattack while cascading from cliff to cliff. But as the 
enemy closed in, Michael recognized that the survival of his men 
depended on calling back to the base for reinforcements. With complete 
disregard for his own life, he moved into a clearing where his phone 
would get reception. He made the call, and Michael then fell under heavy 
fire. Yet his grace and upbringing never deserted him. Though severely 
wounded, he said thank you before hanging up and returned to the fight 
before losing his life.
    Unfortunately, the helicopter carrying the reinforcements never 
reached the scene. It crashed after being struck by a rocket-propelled 
grenade. And in the end, more Americans died in Afghanistan on June 
28th, 2005, than on any other day since the beginning of Operation 
Enduring Freedom. This day of tragedy also has the sad distinction of 
being the deadliest for Navy Special Warfare forces since World War II.
    One of Michael's fellow SEALs did make it off the mountain ridge. He 
was one of Michael's closest friends. Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell of 
Texas, author of a riveting book called ``Lone Survivor,'' put it this 
way: ``Mikey was the best officer I ever knew, an iron-souled warrior of 
colossal and almost unbelievable courage in the face of the enemy.''
    For his courage, we award Lieutenant Michael Murphy the first Medal 
of Honor for combat in Afghanistan. And with this medal, we acknowledge 
a debt that will not diminish with time and can never be repaid.
    Our Nation is blessed to have volunteers like Michael who risk their 
lives for our freedom. We're blessed to have mothers and fathers like 
Maureen and Dan Murphy who raise sons of such character and courage. And 
we're blessed with the mercy of a loving God who comforts all those who 
grieve.
    And now I ask Michael's parents to join me on stage, and the 
Military Aide will read the citation.

Note: The President spoke at 2:24 p.m. in the East Room at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Rear Adm. Robert F. Burt, USN, 
Chaplain of the Marine Corps. Following the President's remarks, Maj. 
Mark Thompson, USMC, Marine Corps Aide to the President, read the 
citation.