USS Michael Murphy

Construction and commissioning

Her contract was awarded on 13 September 2002 to the Bath Iron Works and the first cut of steel was made by Vice Admiral John Morgan, the first commanding officer of lead ship of the class, . The ship's keel was laid down on 18 June 2010, and during the event, Maureen Murphy and Edwin Bard inscribed the signatures of Murphy's family on an iron plate during a dedication cerrmony for Michael Murphy. The plate was affixed to the ship's hull during construction. After her christening, the destroyer was moved to dry dock for several months in order to finalize construction. On 1 October 2012 the destroyer arrived in New York for her commissioning, which occurred on 6 October.

Service history

2012

On 16 October 2012 Michael Murphy arrived in Barbados for her first international port of call. Led by Ambassador Larry L. Palmer, dozens of sailors ventured out into the community to help the children of Barbados at the Boscobelle Primary School and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The sailors presented stuffed animals to the children at the hospital. At the primary school, the crew members helped to beautify the school grounds by planting trees, as well as clearing away brush and debris. The students of the primary school also had stuffed animals donated to them by the sailors. On 21 November, Michael Murphy arrived at her home port of Naval Station Pearl Harbor, part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam.

2013

On 15 February 2013 Michael Murphy held her first family day cruise. On 23 May 2013 Michael Murphy held her first change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam.

2014

On 4 February 2014 Michael Murphy participated with aviation forces from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps in joint training exercise Koa Kai. Participating units conducted integrated flight operations, anti-surface and anti-submarine training. On 28 February, the Royal Canadian Navy ship suffered a fire and breakdown approximately 340 nmi northeast of Pearl Harbor that left the ship stranded without power, lighting or water. Michael Murphy, already underway, was immediately dispatched to assist in towing and recovery efforts. Michael Murphy received 17 family members of the crew and two civilian contractors from Protecteur; however, due to adverse weather conditions, Michael Murphys attempts to take her under tow were unsuccessful. , a , arrived two days later, connected to and towed the stricken ship until the towing cable broke. Finally, , a , arrived on 2 March to assume the towing duties and brought Protecteur into Naval Station Pearl Harbor on 6 March.

On 7 July 2014 Michael Murphy departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam to participate in the at-sea phase of the multinational exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC). On 26 June, RIMPAC 2014 commenced and Michael Murphy participated in all 36 days, including the closing reception on 1 August. On 20 October 2014, Michael Murphy departed on her first deployment to the Western Pacific with the United States Seventh Fleet.

2015

On 26 May 2015, Michael Murphy was awarded with a Canadian Forces' Unit Commendation in recognition of the service she provided to the stranded Canadian naval vessel after she had caught fire at sea.

2017

In January 2017, Michael Murphy, along with sister Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and Ticonderoga-class cruiser , accompanied in a deployment to the western Pacific. In April of that year, the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG) cancelled a scheduled port call in Australia in response to increasing tensions between North Korea (DPRK) and the United States over the DPRK's nuclear weapons program.

2018

Michael Murphy participated in KAKADU 2018, a multinational exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Navy. During the sea phase of the exercise, forces from twenty-seven countries will train together in several complex warfighting scenarios, including an air defense exercise, gunnery exercise, search and rescue training, underway replenishment approaches, anti-submarine warfare vulnerability training, and divisional tactics.

2019

Michael Murphy deployed to the U.S. Fourth Fleet area of operations, following her participation in exercises UNITAS LX and Teamwork South 2019 in Valparaiso, Chile, from 24 June to 3 July.

2024

Michael Murphy arrived at the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka on 23 July 2024 on a formal visit. The vessel was scheduled to depart the island on 26 July 2024.

Michael Murphy arrived at the port of Colombo on a replenishment visit on 16 November 2024. The vessel was captained by Commander Jonathan B. Greenwald and was scheduled to depart on 17 November 2024.

Awards

• Battle "E" – (2021)
• Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation - (2020)
• Canadian Forces' Unit Commendation - (2014)
• Retention Excellence Award - (2019)
• Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy - (2024)

References

References

1. (18 June 2010). "Keel for Future USS Michael Murphy Authenticated". Navy News Service.
2. "USS Michael Murphy DDG-112 Commissioning Committee".
3. Pike, John. "DDG 112 Michael Murphy". globalsecurity.org.
4. (7 May 2011). "Fallen Navy SEAL honored with warship".
5. Sharp, David. (8 May 2011). "Warship Built In Maine Bears Name Of Navy SEAL". [[Norfolk Virginian-Pilot]].
6. (July 5, 2022). "Naval Surface Force U.S. Pacific Fleet Administrative Organization Chart".
7. "Arleigh Burke Class (Aegis) Destroyer – Naval Technology". naval-technology.com.
8. (September 2007). "BIW News". Bath Iron Works.
9. (7 May 2011). "Navy ship dedicated to fallen SEAL". CNN.
10. Pappalardo, Joe. (3 October 2012). "USS Michael Murphy: On Board the Navy's Newest Warship". Popular Mechanics.
11. "USS Michael Murphy visits Barbados: Sailors Engage with Local Community". usembassy.gov.
12. This story was written U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs. "USS Michael Murphy Makes First Port Call During Maiden Voyage". navy.mil.
13. "USS Michael Murphy, Navyʼs newest destroyer, arrives at joint base". hookelenews.com.
14. "USS Michael Murphy, Navy's Newest Destroyer Arrives in Pearl Harbor". navy.mil.
15. "USS Michael Murphy holds its first family day cruise". navy.mil.
16. Story and photo MC2 Nardel Gervacio. "USS Michael Murphy holds first change of command". navy.mil.
17. Staff Sgt. William Sallette. (4 February 2014). "Army aviators become 'Sea Warriors'". army.mil.
18. (2 March 2014). "Line towing fire-damaged HMCS Protecteur to Hawaii breaks". cbc.ca.
19. (2 March 2014). "Line towing fire-damaged HMCS Protecteur to Hawaii breaks". cbc.ca.
20. This story was written Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal and U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs. "HMCS Protecteur, Crew Arrive Safely to Pearl Harbor". navy.mil.
21. "USS Michael Murphy returns with civilians after ship fire". KHON2.
22. "Stranded HMCS Protecteur due in Pearl Harbor by mid-week". The Globe and Mail.
23. (25 July 2014). "RIMPAC 2014: World's Largest Maritime Exercises (PHOTOS)". The Huffington Post.
24. "USS Michael Murphy departs on maiden deployment". hookelenews.com.
25. Pugliese, David. (3 June 2015). "Canadian Forces thanks crew of USS Michael Murphy for coming to the aid of HMCS Protecteur". Ottawa Citizen.
26. "USS Michael Murphy joins 27-nation naval exercise Down Under".
27. (23 July 2024). "USS Michael Murphy arrives in Colombo". [[Sri Lanka Navy]].
28. (16 November 2024). "USS Michael Murphy arrives in Colombo". Sri Lanka Navy.
29. "USS Michael Murphy Receives United States Coast Guard Commendation".
30. "Canadian Forces thanks crew of USS Michael Murphy for coming to the aid of HMCS Protecteur".
31. https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/Media/News/Article/4237221/uss-michael-murphy-awarded-2024-arleigh-burke-fleet-trophy/