The Congressional Medal of Honor is the most prestigious award the United States can bestow on a member of the military. It was established during the Civil War to honor a soldier or sailor who "distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty."

The government has given out only 3,460 medals thus far, 1,520 of which were awarded during the Civil War, 464 during World War II, and three in the ongoing war on terror. The most recent recipient of the medal was awarded posthumously to Lt. Michael Murphy on Oct. 22 for his actions in Afghanistan.

On June 28, 2005, a team of four Navy SEALs were conducting a reconnaissance mission in enemy territory, high in the mountains of Afghanistan, when they came under surprise attack. The Navy SEALs, commanded by Murphy, found themselves engaged in battle 10,000 feet above sea level, facing a force of 50 terrorists and under siege from three sides.

The men fought back, but when an overwhelming enemy force surrounded them, things looked grim. The citation for Murphy stated that he "valiantly led his men in engaging the large enemy force."

The ensuing fierce firefight resulted in numerous enemy causalities as well as the wounding of all four members of the team. Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men.

"When the primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his beleaguered teammates," the citation said. "Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain, and in the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into the open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call.

This deliberate, heroic act deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire. In his final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country and for the cause of freedom."

Murphy is an American hero. His selfless actions should inspire us all and remind us that real heroes do still exist. Chances are that despite his bravery, most Americans have never heard of Lt. Michael Murphy.

A LexisNexis search reveals that there was a paltry 135 stories reporting Lieutenant Murphy's heroism. Compare that to 4,677 mentions for the supposed Quran abuse at Guantanamo Bay, and 5,159 for the court-martialed Abu Ghraib guard Lynndie England.

Why does the media overlook the valor and heroism of the military that men like Lieutenant Murphy exemplify? Perhaps it doesn't fit the media's agenda, or perhaps it's just another example of the old adage that "no news sells like bad news."

On the evening of June 6, 1944, just as D-Day was underway and thousands of American, British, and Canadian soldiers were landing on the beaches of France, Franklin D. Roosevelt called the nation to prayer over the radio waves: "Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity … They fight not for the lust of conquest.

They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home."

Murphy and thousands of other Americans engaged in the war on terror have not made it home, but they have not died in vain. Like the men fighting in World War II, their cause has a noble purpose higher than themselves.

That purpose, to ensure the survival and the success of liberty for their countrymen, has been the hallmark of the American military since the founding of the Republic.

In this month of November, when we celebrate Veteran's Day, we owe our troops the honor to never forget their sacrifice for our freedom we enjoy as Americans.


Kevin Boland is a Heights staff columnist. He welcomes comments at kboland@bcheights.com.

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