James F. Murphy

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to James F. Murphy, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with an Infantry Company. First Lieutenant Murphy distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Schui-ryong, Korea, on 18 January 1953. On that date, Lieutenant Murphy, a platoon leader, was engaged in repelling a three-prong attack by a large enemy force on his unit’s position. He led his men into the hostile ranks, personally employing carbine fire, grenades and automatic rifle fire in breaking up the attack, and pursuing the retreating enemy after the repulse. Later, hearing cries for help from a valley in front of his position, he made his way, with two volunteers, down the icy slope to a point where he discovered a wounded American soldier, stripped of clothing by the enemy, abandoned, and in great danger of death by freezing. Lieutenant Murphy worked under enemy observation for approximately three hours rigging a rope sling to carry the wounded man to safety. The extraordinary heroism exhibited by Lieutenant Murphy on this occasion reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 668 (July 18, 1953)