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LTJG Thomas Leo Murphy

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LTJG Thomas Leo Murphy

Birth	:	13 Jul 1920 Aberdeen, Brown County, South Dakota, USA
Death	:	17 Feb 1945 Iwo Jima, Ogasawara-shichō, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan
Burial	:	Sacred Heart Cemetery, Aberdeen, Brown County, USA
Coordinate	:	45.4674988, -98.4627991
Inscription	:	LTJG, US NAVY WORLD WAR II
Description	:	Thomas Leo Murphy was born to Patrick and Josie Murphy. Attended Sacred Heart Elementary, Central High School, and Northern State where he took flying lessons. Entered active service with the Navy on 11 June 1942 where he flew Hell Cat and Wild Cat fighter planes and was last stationed on the USS Wake Island, as part of the Composite Spotting Squadron in the Asiatic. On 17 Feb 1945, Lt. Murphy was sent on a mission to bomb Iwo Jima and never returned. He was listed as MIA until Feb. 18, 1945, when he was officially declared dead. At that time... Read More	Thomas Leo Murphy was born to Patrick and Josie Murphy. Attended Sacred Heart Elementary, Central High School, and Northern State where he took flying lessons. Entered active service with the Navy on 11 June 1942 where he flew Hell Cat and Wild Cat fighter planes and was last stationed on the USS Wake Island, as part of the Composite Spotting Squadron in the Asiatic. On 17 Feb 1945, Lt. Murphy was sent on a mission to bomb Iwo Jima and never returned. He was listed as MIA until Feb. 18, 1945, when he was officially declared dead. At that time his commanding officer wrote, "Thomas was an unusually good pilot and at all times showed the very best of judgment. The squadron was engaged in the occupation of Iwo Jima and Thomas was on a mission over the target area, spotting Naval gunfire for one of the battleships. He was in communication with the ship and the ship reported that the last transmission from the plane was about 9:55 A.M. while he was over the target. Other reports came in that about 10:00 a plane was observed to crash on the island of Iwo Jima. Thomas did not return from the mission or answer when called soon after the crash was reported. The anti-aircraft fire was unusually heavy so there is little doubt that he was shot down...." Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross: ...as pilot of a torpedo bombing plane in composite spotting squadron one, attached to the USS Wake Island, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Luzon, Philippine Islands, and during the invasion of Iwo Jima, Volcano islands, from January 2 to February 17, 1945. A skilled and aggressive airman, Lieutenant Murphy boldly penetrated enemy territory to execute eighteen devastating raids against strategic hostile positions and, striking furiously at his assigned targets despite the enemy's intense antiaircraft fire, contributed materially to the infliction of extensive and costly damage on these vital Japanese strongholds. His daring tactics, outstanding ability and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave danger reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Murphy. At the time, Murphy was survived by his mother, sister Bette, and brother Jim. Source: FALLEN SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF SOUTH DAKOTA Project ~ Memorial marker and he is also among the Tablets of the missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is LTJG Thomas Leo Murphy's memorial?
LTJG Thomas Leo Murphy's memorial is located at: Sacred Heart Cemetery, Aberdeen, Brown County, USA.
When did LTJG Thomas Leo Murphy death?
LTJG Thomas Leo Murphy death on 17 Feb 1945 in Iwo Jima, Ogasawara-shichō, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan
Where are the coordinates of the LTJG Thomas Leo Murphy's memorial?
Latitude: 45.4674988
Longitude: -98.4627991

Family Members:

Parent

Josephine Francis “Josie” Cogley Murphy

(1891 - 1974)

Siblings

Elizabeth J “Bette” Murphy Prunty

(1924 - 2011)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Sacred Heart Cemetery
Aberdeen, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4674988, -98.4627991

2. Saint Marys Cemetery
Aberdeen, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4858017, -98.4760971

3. Riverside Memorial Park
Aberdeen, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4453011, -98.5117035

4. Sunset Memorial Gardens
Aberdeen, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4599991, -98.3930969

5. Cooper Animal Clinic Pet Cemetery
Aberdeen, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4604063, -98.3883103

6. Bath Memorial Cemetery
Bath, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4726900, -98.3294900

7. East Gem Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery
Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4007988, -98.2947006

8. Warner Cemetery
Warner, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3272018, -98.5053024

9. Scandinavia Lutheran Cemetery
Gem Township, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3569104, -98.3307271

10. Saint Johns Lutheran Church Cemetery
Aberdeen, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3592600, -98.6183100

11. Westport Cemetery
Westport, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6464005, -98.5017014

12. Sacred Heart Cemetery
Westport, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6478200, -98.5015000

13. Columbia Catholic Cemetery
Columbia, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6155400, -98.3051100

14. Lakeview Cemetery
Columbia, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6154000, -98.3045900

15. James Cemetery
Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4575005, -98.1849976

16. East Rondell Cemetery
Stratford, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3053017, -98.2675018

17. Oakwood Cemetery
Stratford, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2599983, -98.3516998

18. West Hanson Cemetery
Groton, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3570320, -98.1845470

19. Saint Johns Lutheran Cemetery
Columbia, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6759900, -98.3297400

20. Pembrook Cemetery
Edmunds County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5127983, -98.7842026

21. Richland Cemetery
Mina, Edmunds County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3563995, -98.7844009

22. Groton Cemetery
Groton, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4632988, -98.1018982

23. Bethany Cemetery
Mellette, Spink County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2149086, -98.3806381

24. Truesdell Gravesite
Wetonka, McPherson County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6206885, -98.7668775