Maurice Edward Murphy

West Point, 1968

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Douglas Edward Nash on October 5, 2021:

I credit Maurice "Mike" Murphy with resurrecting my career. After a year of sevice as the Asst. S-4 of 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division in Illesheim Germany, Mike, who was Division G-5 at the time, took me under his wing to serve as his Assistant G-4 for almost two years. Under his patient and wise tutelage, things began to turn around and thanks to his guidance, I was able to choose a more successful career path that eventually led me to becoming a Civil Affairs officer in the active component. I remember Mike not only as a model officer, someone I wanted to emulate, but a kind friend and mentor. He was respected by other members of the division staff and was held in high esteem by MG Crosbie Saint and Colonel John Tilleli, who was the CofS at the time. Serving under Mike was a pleasure; he liked to work hard, but he also liked to take advantage of whatever opportunity he had to have some fun. I couldn't have asked for a better boss. He was also a great family man. His family and mine spent many an hour together at parties, staff get togethers, and other events. He passed away far too young and I only heard about his passing a little while ago; I wished I could have been at his funeral. Although short in stature, he was a giant among his classmates in the long gray line.

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