USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112). BATH, Maine. (June 18, 2010)

18 июня в BATH, штат Maine в присутствии более чем 50 военных моряков, гражданских лиц и членов их семей на заводе General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works shipyard прошла церемония закладки 62 эсминца УРО ВМС США типа "Арли Бёрк" (Arleigh Burke-class destroyers) - USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112).

Корабль назван в честь лейтенанта спецназа ВМС США Майкла П. Мерфи (Lt. Michael P. Murphy), который был посмертно награжден Орденом Почета за героические действия во время операции Red Wing в Афганистане 28 июня 2005.

BATH, Maine (NNS) -- More than 50 Sailors, civilians and family members gathered June 18 at the General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works shipyard to authenticate the keel of a U.S. Navy destroyer named for a Navy SEAL killed during Operation Enduring Freedom.

The keel authentication ceremony was designed to mark the beginning of construction of the future USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), a destroyer named in honor of Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan on June 28, 2005.

Michael Patrick Murphy (May 7, 1976 – June 28, 2005) was a United States Navy SEAL posthumously awarded the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the current War in Afghanistan. He was the first person to be awarded the medal for actions in Afghanistan; and the first member of the U.S. Navy to receive the award since the Vietnam War.

Michael Murphy was born and raised in New York and after graduating from High school he went to Penn State, graduating with honors and dual degrees in both political science and psychology. After college he accepted a commission in the United States Navy and became a United States Navy SEAL in July 2002.

Murphy was sent on several missions while participating in the Global War on Terrorism but was killed on June 28, 2005 after his team was compromised and surrounded by Taliban forces near Asadabad, Afghanistan.In addition to the Medal of Honor Murphy received other awards including the Silver Star and Purple Heart as well as a United States Navy destroyer, a post office and a park named in his honor.

Lt. Murphy was killed June 28, 2005 after exposing himself to enemy fire and knowingly leaving his position of cover to get a clear signal in order to communicate with his headquarters. He provided his unit’s location and requested immediate support for his element and then returned to his position to continue fighting until he died from his wounds

Cmdr. David Price, program manager, supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair said the vessel will serve as a testament to Murphy's character.

"This ship will transform from just plates of steel, miles of piping and cables and electronics, to a ship and crew, operating as one, imbued with the spirit of her namesake, and her sponsor," said Price.

"As the 62nd ship of the class, I believe DDG 112 will be the finest destroyer yet delivered," said Capt. Pete Lyle, DDG 51 class program manager within the Navy's Program Executive Office. "There couldn't be a more fitting tribute to Lt. Murphy's sacrifice."

DDG 51 class ships are multi-mission combatants designed to operate in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface threat environments. These destroyers are equipped with the Navy's Aegis Combat System, the world's foremost integrated naval weapon system, and provide outstanding combat capability and survivability characteristics while minimizing procurement and lifetime support costs due to the program's maturity.

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=54166 

U.S. Navy Photo Illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jay Chu

Navy file photo of SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy, from Patchogue, NY, and Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class Matthew G. Axelson, of Cupertino, Calif., taken in Afghanistan.

 Both were assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Murphy and Axelson were killed by enemy forces during a reconnaissance mission, Operation Red Wing, June 28, 2005.  

They were part of a four-man team tasked with finding a key Taliban leader in the mountainous terrain near Asadabad, Afghanistan, when they came under fire from a much larger enemy force with superior tactical position. 
Operation Red Wing
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