28JUL2005: LT Michael Murphy was leading his team of four Navy SEALS as Operation Red Wing kicked off. Inserted deep into enemy territory, LT Murphy and his team were tasked with surveillance and reconnaissance of a series of buildings thought to house Taliban leadership ahead of Marine movement into the area.
After a successful insertion, LT Murphy's team was discovered by a goat herder. Hoping for the best, the team released the Afghan male who promptly reported their position to the local Taliban leadership. Before long, the entire SEAL team was under heavy fire from a numerically superior enemy force.
LT Murphy led his team in a valiant defense, being wounded multiple times in the process. Due to the rugged terrain, the team was unable to call for reinforcements or even alert American units of their dire situation. As enemy forces closed in on the SEALS, LT Murphy made a decision to risk his life in order to save his men.
Recognizing that reinforcements were needed or they would be overrun, LT Murphy moved to an exposed position in the hopes his radio calls would be transmitted. He was right. Despite being shot multiple times while making the call, LT Murphy stayed on the line even signing off with a 'thank you'. Now mortally wounded but with reinforcements on the way, LT Michael Murphy would continue to fight until he died of his wounds.
For giving his life in an attempt to save his brothers, LT Michael Murphy would be awarded, posthumously, the Medal of Honor.
