On August 26, 2022, trumpets were heard when Lt. Commander David R. Murphy (USN) was reunited with loving arms to his wife, Barbara. Barbara had patiently awaited his arrival for 42 years exactly after her passing on August 26, 1980.

Dave was born November 5, 1934 in Philadelphia to Elizabeth and Joseph, Murphy Sr. He was the youngest of 3 siblings, Joan Hall and Joseph Murphy Jr. (Joseph died in an Air Force training mission in Jordan and is buried in Arlington cemetery). Dave graduated from Penn State where he met Barbara and he commissioned into the Navy as a helicopter pilot.

As recounted by Tony Brooks, in the book, “Leave No Man Behind,” Dave was deployed to Vietnam in 1966, where he was involved in the search and rescue mission of Lt. Robert Woods. During the efforts of this rescue mission, Dave’s HS-6 helicopter was met with enemy fire. With one engine remaining and a broken up tail rotor, the helicopter began to spin out of control. Dave recounted his training on Otay Lakes and successfully landed the disabled helicopter near the the aircraft carrier in the Tonkin Gulf where his helicopter then sunk. Dave and the other surviving members treaded water for only a few moments before they were rescued by the ship’s motor whaleboat.

For his heroism, Dave was decorated with the Navy Cross, a Purple Heart, an Air Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation medal, and multiple other awards.

David is survived by 3 daughters, Deanne, Kimberly and Michele. His daughter Christine passed in 2017. David has 4 grandchildren, Paige, Dylan, Daniel and Shannon, and 3 great grandchildren Hector, Diego and Emma and several nieces and nephews.

There are scores of friends and family who we are thankful for being a part of Dave’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local animal shelter. Our Dad was a big animal lover, and he would appreciate donations in his memory.

Always in our hearts.

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