Colonel Wayne Murphy, PhD, PE, a native of Port Chester, NY, served over 23 years in the US Army. His career included tours with combat units, engineer organizations, the West Point faculty, and other joint and interagency assignments to include the State Department and White House staff. He continued a civilian career in engineering and business, as well as work for various charities and military associations. He and his wife, Mary Ellen, have a legacy — four sons and ten grandchildren.
- Murphy – Home and Reception – 1971
Getting home was a full-time goal in July 1971. It was on what I concentrated my thoughts and days. I found out that I could get a “drop” of two days if I was able… Read more: Murphy – Home and Reception – 1971 - Making Captain and Leaving the Platoon – 1971
The time passed quickly as we finished the fortifications on Rifle and prepared a turnover to the ARVN. The attack we had weathered was apparently more than an isolated action. We were told that several firebases… Read more: Making Captain and Leaving the Platoon – 1971 - A Grandson’s Question, part 2: The Chaplain Wins the Silver Star – 1971
The Chaplain Wins the Silver Star At this point, I got more control of myself and went from being a rifleman to being the LT. I scurried over to our other positions. Behind me, I heard… Read more: A Grandson’s Question, part 2: The Chaplain Wins the Silver Star – 1971 - A Grandson’s Question, part 1 – 1971
It hit me when one of my young grandsons asked me about the time of Veteran’s Day, “Pop, did you ever shoot or kill anyone?” A completely innocent question for an old soldier that I… Read more: A Grandson’s Question, part 1 – 1971 - Some Real Storm Troopers – 1973
In February 1973 after my Vietnam tour, I was in command of a company at Fort Bragg, North Carolina – B Company 27th Engineers (Combat) (Airborne). It was a dream job and my unit had almost… Read more: Some Real Storm Troopers – 1973 - An Engineer’s Dream Trip – 1978
In the fall during the late 70s, I was assigned to the Corps of Engineers Pacific Ocean Division headquartered at Ft Shafter in Hawaii. It was a great job as I was Assistant Chief of… Read more: An Engineer’s Dream Trip – 1978 - FB Rifle – Work Continues – 1971
On Fire Base Rifle and along its access road work continued at a fair pace. As time went on, we started to find some explosives along the road during sweeps and took harassing fire. Usually… Read more: FB Rifle – Work Continues – 1971 - FB Rifle Rebuild – 1971
In early April or so, I took on new mission. We were to enter a “new” AO (area of operations), reopen a road and build a first-class permanent firebase for the ARVN (Army of the Republic… Read more: FB Rifle Rebuild – 1971 - Post Laotian Invasion – 1971
The ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) was finally extricated from Laos and we were alerted to prepare for blocking positions if the NVA (North Vietnamize Army) moved on I Corps. Several units set up… Read more: Post Laotian Invasion – 1971 - Laos Invasion: The Following Weeks – 1971
The main mission and reason to reoccupy Khe Sanh was to build a forward base capable of supplying the two ARVN Divisions who would cross into Laos and “cut” the Ho Chi Minh Trail. That meant… Read more: Laos Invasion: The Following Weeks – 1971 - An Adventure in the “Socialist Paradise” – 1990
In 1990, as an exchange officer serving in the State Department, I was involved in arms control negotiations and treaty compliance issues between our country and the Soviet Union. One aspect was the a diplomatic “tit… Read more: An Adventure in the “Socialist Paradise” – 1990 - What West Point Means To Me – Wayne Murphy
West Point was extremely generous to me. In return for my best efforts, it shaped the path of my life. It was the meritocracy where so many gifted men were challenged to perform. My awe at… Read more: What West Point Means To Me – Wayne Murphy - Invading Laos – 1971, Part 2
FIRST DAY The next morning, we deployed around the LZ. Our small, “air mobile” earth-moving equipment, ¾ ton dump trucks, jeeps, M450 bulldozers, D5 bulldozer, and scrapers were broken down for sling loading. We were also… Read more: Invading Laos – 1971, Part 2 - Invading Laos – 1971, Part 1
Prelude In January 1971, the decision was made to further cripple the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) infiltration and supply to South Vietnam; I guess to follow up on the Cambodian success. This time Vietnamization was to… Read more: Invading Laos – 1971, Part 1 - Finally a Combat Engineer Platoon – 1970 Part 3 of 3
The work on the hill was basically manual labor. I had a M426 bulldozer for a while, but the demand for engineer stuff was great and the Battalion Commander LTC Rodolph had a rule that you… Read more: Finally a Combat Engineer Platoon – 1970 Part 3 of 3 - Finally a Combat Engineer Platoon – 1970 Part 2 of 3
Fine Dining – 1970 Fine Dining Part 2 The mess situation was pretty good if you were in the rear – two or three hot meals a day. On a firebase it could be almost as… Read more: Finally a Combat Engineer Platoon – 1970 Part 2 of 3 - Finally a Combat Engineer Platoon – 1970 Part 1 of 3
Part 1 I reported into Phu Bai and was given my platoon command. It was a bit under strength in personnel with only a few NCOs. My “experienced” platoon sergeant was a short timer in country… Read more: Finally a Combat Engineer Platoon – 1970 Part 1 of 3 - In Country Part II – 1970
By Colonel Wayne Murphy, PhD, PE, Hue, Vietnam Part II The Vietnam War was mistakenly fought using draftees and soldiers with fixed individual one year tours. Reserve units for the most part were not called up… Read more: In Country Part II – 1970 - In Country Part I – 1970By Colonel Wayne Murphy, PhD, PE, Hue, Vietnam Part I At Cam Ranh Bay we deplaned and were placed into the standard quarters in base camps. They were plywood, metal sheet, and screen huts. They were… Read more: In Country Part I – 1970
- Leaving Wife and Home – 1970
By Colonel Wayne Murphy, PhD, PE, Ft. Belvoir, Fairfax County, VA Leaving Wife and Home There are many things in a life that are difficult, and I have always resisted trying to define the hardest for… Read more: Leaving Wife and Home – 1970