Norwood Police Chief’s Son, Lance Cpl Richard B. Murphy, 19, Killed in Action-This Day In Norwood History-June 15, 1968

His parents were formally notified by Maj. Clarence E. Jenkins, adjutant of the Marine Air Reserve Training Detachment at South Weymouth.

Cpl. Murphy was attached to Company M, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, and had been serving in Vietnam since Dec. 14. Prior to being killed, he had been wounded twice — once on Jan. 27 by a mortar fragment, and again last month when he was hit by a fragment in the face. He had been recommended for the Vietnamese medal for gallantry in action following his conduct at Hill 552.

A graduate of Norwood High School in 1966, he attended Blue Hills Regional Technical School for a year before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. While a student at Norwood High School, he was an active member of the Chefs Club, the school band, and the track and football teams. The high school yearbook said of Cpl. Murphy — “A handsome member of a handsome family, . a rugged type, who doesn’t shirk hard work, but who doesn’t worry about tomorrow.”

He was the second oldest of 10 children. His father, Police Chief James M. Murphy, and his mother, both former Marines, originally met and married while serving in the Corps during World War II. He is the sixth Norwood boy to lose his life in the Vietnam conflict.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by seven brothers, James M. Murphy Jr., Kevin E. Murphy, William J. Murphy, Thomas G. Murphy, Brian P. Murphy, John T. Murphy, and Paul Christopher Murphy; and two sisters, Miss Sheila M. Murphy and Miss Maureen Murphy.