Full Military Honors Accorded to Lance Corporal Richard B. Murphy, Son of Norwood Police Chief, Following His Sacrifice in Vietnam
A profound and solemn wave of collective mourning has enveloped the entire Norwood community following the heartbreaking repatriation of one of its youngest military heroes. Full military honors will be officially accorded to United States Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Richard B. Murphy, the 19-year-old son of Norwood Police Chief James M. Murphy and his wife, Mrs. James M. Murphy, residing at 193 Vernon Street, Norwood. Lance Corporal Murphy was tragically killed in action on June 15 near the war-torn city of Quang Tri, South Vietnam, while serving his country on the front lines with M Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division.
The fallen marine’s long journey home concluded late last night under somber, rain-swept skies at Logan International Airport in Boston. Northeast Airlines Flight 362, transporting Murphy’s remains, finally touched down at 11:00 p.m., delayed more than two hours past its scheduled arrival time due to severe, inclement weather along the Atlantic coast.
Despite the late hour and the driving rain, an immense, deeply moving contingent of approximately 200 people silently gathered on the tarmac to meet the plane and escort the casket. The grieving gathering was anchored by Lance Corporal Murphy’s parents and his nine heartbroken brothers and sisters. Standing in stark, rigid solidarity alongside the family were formal, uniformed law enforcement honor details representing the Norwood Police Department, the Boston Police Department, and the Massachusetts State Police, alongside four local Catholic priests, numerous neighborhood friends, and extended relatives.
The family will receive members of the community during an extensive series of calling hours at the Gillooly Funeral Home, located at 126 Walpole Street, Norwood.
The visiting hours have been specifically scheduled to accommodate the massive expected outpouring of community sympathy, running from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. tonight, and resuming tomorrow and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and again from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
A formal Solemn High Mass of Requiem will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. on Monday morning inside the sanctuary of St. Catherine of Siena Church on Washington Street. Following the divine liturgy, the funeral procession will wind through the streets of the town toward Highland Cemetery on Winter Street, where the young marine will be laid to his eternal rest with the ultimate, traditional honors of the United States military.
In addition to his deeply respected parents, the young leatherneck leaves behind a massive, tight-knit family legacy. He is survived by his seven devoted brothers: James M. Murphy Jr., Kevin E. Murphy, William J. Murphy, Thomas G. Murphy, Brian P. Murphy, John T. Murphy, and Paul C. Murphy; and his two loving sisters, Miss Sheila M. Murphy and Miss Maureen Murphy. As local civic leaders prepare to lower all town flags to half-staff, residents across Norwood acknowledge that the loss of Chief Murphy’s teenage son brings the far-away realities and ultimate sacrifices of the Vietnam War directly to the heart of the local community.
He is honored on panel 57W, line 29 of the The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More Norwood Veteran Stories
-
Swedeville Friends Paul Soderland, Vincent White Hold Reunion at Advanced Pacific Base-This Day in Norwood History-December 27, 1944
Stories of home and the old neighborhood were swapped with enthusiasm recently when Paul Soderland of Savin Avenue, Norwood, and Vincent White of Cedar street met at one of our advanced Pacific bases. They had just completed the job of establishing a beachhead, putting to good use the lessons learned on the shores of Cape…
-
Edward Chandler Leaves For Flight Training-This Day in Norwood History-December 26, 1944
NAVAL AIR CADET: Edward Chandler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward T. Chandler of 55 Winslow Avenue, who has completed pre-flight training at Chapel Hill. N. C. After spending a two weeks’ leave at home, he has left for assignment for flight training. Entering the Naval Air Corps through the V-12 program, Cadet Chandler has…
-
John A. Millen Jr. Promoted To Rank Of Major-This Day in Norwood History-December 26, 1944
AAF, PACIFIC OCEAN AREAS. Western Pacific—John A. Millen. Jr., of Norwood, a navigation officer for a 7th AAF heavy bombardment group based in the Palau Islands, has been promoted to Major. The son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Millen. 230 Vernon street, Norwood. Major Millen entered, the service in October. 1941. His wife resides…
-
Francis C. Heylin Serves Hospital Ship In English Channel-This Day in Norwood History-December 26, 1944
ABOARD THE USS LST 28 IN THE ENGLISH CHANNEL. Nov 22 (Delayed)—Nights when German planes roared in to attack their ship, while below decks surgical operations and care of wounded soldiers went on without interruption, are vivid in the memory of Francis C. Heylin, 20, quartermaster, first class, USN, of Norwood, and his shipmates aboard…
-
Master Sergeant Sigyr R. Gustafson Wins Bronze Star Medal-This Day in Norwood History-December 26, 1944
AN EIGHTH AIR FORCE BOMBER STATION. England — Master Sergeant Sigyr R. Gustafson, 28, nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Arvid Hermanson of Norwood, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, it was recently announced by Colonel James S. Sutton of Findlay. Ohio, commanding officer of the 306th Bomb Group. Sergeant Gustafson received the decoration for…
-
Russell I. Richwein Home After 22 Months Overseas-This Day in Norwood History-December 22, 1944
Home after 22 months overseas is Russell I. Richwein, QM, USN, son of Mrs. Emma Rowell of 392 Pleasant street. On the crew of an LST, Russell has taken part in four major invasions. North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Normandy. Russell, a graduate of Norwood schools, has been in the service for two and a…
-
SSgt. Ahti Wuori, Aerial Gunner On U. S. Bomber, Missing-This Day in Norwood History-December 22, 1944
Veteran Of 30 Missions Missing In Pacific Theatre Since Nov. 16 Staff Sgt. Ahti J.. Wuori, only child of Mr. and Mrs. John Wuori of 90 East Cross street, Norwood, has been missing in action in the Pacific theater since November 16th, his parents have been informed in a War Department telegram. Sgl. Wuori has…
-
Norwood Veterans Return From War In Time For Holidays-This Day in Norwood History-December 22, 1944
Home After 22 Months Overseas Home after 22 months overseas is Russell I. Richwcin, QM, USN, son of Mrs. Emma Rowell of 392 Pleasant street. On the crew of an LST. Russell has taken part in four major invasions. North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Normandy. Russell, a graduate of Norwood schools, has been in the…
-
T/5 Paul E. Pepper, Pfc. Chester R. Pepper With the Same AA Battery In Pacific-This Day in Norwood History-December 21, 1944
SOMEWHERE IN NEW GUINEA —Two soldiers from Norwood. Massachusetts, are now serving with an Anti-Aircraft Battery in the Southwest Pacific. T/5 Paul E. Pepper is a clerk and Pfc. Chester R. Johnson is a truck driver. Prior to induction T/5 Pepper was employed as a winder-operator for Bird & Son of East Walpole. Pfc. Johnson…
-
Pfc. Robert B. Flaherty is Awarded Purple Heart-This Day in Norwood History-December 21, 1944
Pfc. Robert B. Flaherty of the U. S. Third Army’s 10th Armored Division has been awarded the Purple Heart by Maj. Gen. William H. H. Morris, Division Commander in the European Theatre of Operations, it was announced today by the Division Public Relations Office. Pfc. Flaherty, the son of Mrs. Anne G. Flaherty of 6…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.