Nearly 1,000 people gathered in Norwood to honor Marine Corporal Richard B. Murphy, a 19‑year‑old Norwood resident killed in Vietnam on June 15. A solemn high mass of requiem was held at St. Catherine of Siena Church, where Father Paul J. McManus delivered an emotional eulogy before a standing‑room‑only crowd. The church was filled with police and fire officials from Boston and surrounding communities, state and local politicians, veterans organizations, and a 15‑member Marine detachment from the South Weymouth Naval Air Station.
Father McManus read a letter Cpl. Murphy had written three weeks before his death. In it, Murphy said that his faith and his weapon were the only support he had in battle. He acknowledged the anguish his mother must feel but wrote that he never needed to leave home to know he had “the best parents in the world.” He asked that prayers be offered for soldiers serving in Vietnam.
In his eulogy, Father McManus described Murphy as a young man transformed by war into “a man of great faith… a man of prayer,” saying that in giving his life, “Dick Murphy became a saint,” defined not by piety but by genuine love for God and his fellow man.
The 10 a.m. ceremony began as more than 50 automobiles arrived at the church, with the hearse escorted by six Marines on foot. Chief and Mrs. Murphy entered with their nine children between a cordon of nearly 100 uniformed and civilian officials. The oppressive 94‑degree heat forced several attendees to leave early, and one Marine had to be assisted outside.
Final services were held at Highland Cemetery, where the Marine detachment fired three rifle volleys behind a fieldstone wall. The flag from the coffin was folded and presented to Mrs. Murphy. Kathy Keefe, 16, of the Norwood Drum and Bugle Corps Debonnaires, played Taps, with Diane Paquette, 12, sounding the echo.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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