- SURNAME
Murphy
- FORENAME
John Matthew
- UNIT
3 Squadron SASR
- RANK
Major
- NUMBER
335048
- AWARD
Military Cross
- PLACE
South Vietnam 1966-67
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 30.05.1931
09.12.1953 enlisted
wife Elizabeth Leonie Murphy of 43 Sharon Avenue, The Polygon, Swanbourne, Western Austalia
previously with AATTV
London Gazette 44376, 28th July 1967, Page 8432/8433
CITATION:
Military Cross : Major Murphy has commanded the 3rd Special Air Service Squadron since its deployment in operations in Vietnam in June 1966. Throughout this period of six months his small reconnaissance patrols and fighting patrols have carried out the very hazardous task of extensive patrolling deep into enemy territory to gain invaluable information on which the successful offensive operations of the Australian Task Force have been based. In addition his patrols when in contact with greatly superior enemy forces deployed to hunt them have by skilful and sudden aggressive action inflicted very significant casualties on the enemy and extricated themselves by helicopter from many very dangerous situations to complete their missions.
During 1st and 2nd December 1966 his squadron was given the task of checking the effectiveness of operations to deny the use of the base facilities in the Nui Tfhi Vai mountain mass to the enemy after our troops had had to leave the area. Major Murphy without hesitation undertook this mission himself and over the period of two days reconnoitered the area by .lowering repeatedly to the rocky and jungle covered slopes hanging from a winched, cable some 150 feet under a hovering helicopter and exposing himself to enemy fire. His mission was completely successful.
On 14th December he planned and led a heliborne raiding party into the heart of an enemy base area to blow up a ISO foot concrete tower which the enemy had been using as an observation post equipped with radio. Again the highly hazardous mission was completed with outstanding success and was typical of similar operations which he has led personally.
Major Murphy, throughout his service in Vietnam, has by personal example, leadership, courage and sound planning inspired his squadron to achieve outstanding success.
During 1st and 2nd December 1966 his squadron was given the task of checking the effectiveness of operations to deny the use of the base facilities in the Nui Tfhi Vai mountain mass to the enemy after our troops had had to leave the area. Major Murphy without hesitation undertook this mission himself and over the period of two days reconnoitered the area by .lowering repeatedly to the rocky and jungle covered slopes hanging from a winched, cable some 150 feet under a hovering helicopter and exposing himself to enemy fire. His mission was completely successful.
On 14th December he planned and led a heliborne raiding party into the heart of an enemy base area to blow up a ISO foot concrete tower which the enemy had been using as an observation post equipped with radio. Again the highly hazardous mission was completed with outstanding success and was typical of similar operations which he has led personally.
Major Murphy, throughout his service in Vietnam, has by personal example, leadership, courage and sound planning inspired his squadron to achieve outstanding success.
WEB LINKS:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/44376/supplement/8432/https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7623698
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