A Leapfrog in Times Square

You may remember the story of Navy Seal Lt. Michael Murphy who was killed in Afghanistan in 2005.  Lt. Murphy was part of a four-man team caught in a firefight with more than thirty Taliban militia.  The Navy's summary of Lt. Murphy's actions includes these words:

Despite the intensity of the firefight and suffering grave gunshot wounds himself, Murphy is credited with risking his own life to save the lives of his teammates. Murphy, intent on making contact with headquarters, but realizing this would be impossible in the extreme terrain where they were fighting, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own life moved into the open, where he could gain a better position to transmit a call to get help for his men. 

Moving away from the protective mountain rocks, he knowingly exposed himself to increased enemy gunfire.  This deliberate and heroic act deprived him of cover and made him a target for the enemy.  While continuing to be fired upon, Murphy made contact with the SOF Quick Reaction Force at Bagram Air Base and requested assistance. He calmly provided his unit’s location and the size of the enemy force while requesting immediate support for his team. At one point he was shot in the back causing him to drop the transmitter. Murphy picked it back up, completed the call and continued firing at the enemy who was closing in.  Severely wounded, Lt. Murphy returned to his cover position with his men and continued the battle. 

You can read the entire summary here.  In recognition of Lt. Murphy's heroism, the Navy commissioned a guided-missile destroyer - the USS Michael Murphy - on October 6, 2012.  The week-long celebration in New York included a demonstration by the Navy Leapfrog  Parachute Team, who jumped into Times Square and posed for pictures with members of FDNY Engine 53.  Lt. Murphy wore the Engine 53 patch on his military uniform in combat.

Our future son-in-law, a member of the Leapfrog team, is second from the right in the front row.  We are so proud of his participation in this amazing ceremony.