The hero SEAL’s mother, Maureen Murphy, is flanked by USS Murphy commander Thomas Shultz (left) and Congressman Peter King as the ship named in her son’s honor is commissioned today. (AP)
Anchors aweigh, son.
The stoic Long Island mom of hero Navy SEAL Michael Murphy, the posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor, today stood on board a new Navy destroyer at Pier 88 on the Hudson River and commissioned the ship named after him into active service.
“Officers and crew of the USS Michael Murphy, man our ship and bring it life!,” Murphy shouted the first order in the time honored Navy tradition.
Michael Murphy’s dad Daniel and brother Jonathan were also on hand for the somber occasion as the 279 officers and crew introduced themselves to Mrs. Murphy by name on board the 509-foot-long, 9,200-ton guided-missile destroyer, which is capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously.
The 29-year-old Navy SEAL, who grew up in Patchogue and was a lifeguard, was killed, along with two other SEALS on his four-man team in an ambush in Afghanistan on June 28, in 2005. The fourth SEAL escaped.
Murphy was leading Operation Redwing, an ill-fated reconnaissance mission in the Hindu Kush mountains, when they became pinned down by 50 Taliban insurgents in a two-hour firefight.
Murphy was shot in the stomach but kept fighting before he was shot again in the chest. He then left his covered position for open space so he could find a clear signal to radio Bagram Airfield for backup.
Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell, who was on that mission, described Murphy’s heroism in his book “Lone Survivor.” He said Murphy was shot in the back as he made the call but continued transmitting until he made contact then returned to his position and continued firing at the enemy.
Murphy never made it out alive, nor did the two other SEALS, Gunner’s mate Danny Dietz and Sonar Technician Matthew Axelson, but by the end of the bloody battle 35 members of the Taliban were dead.
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, declared, “The USS Michael Murphy exemplifies the traits that he showed so greatly: the courage, the selflessness, the protection of teammates and of America.
“Most of these ships are named after Naval heroes and Michael Murphy sure fits into that profile — protecting his SEAL team against overwhelming odds, risking, and ultimately giving, his life.”
Mayor Bloomberg said that it was the events of 9/11 and the loss of a firefighter buddy that spurred Murphy to join the Navy.
“Murphy wore the patch of Engine 53 and Ladder 43, El Barrio’s bravest, on every mission and that same patch was brought back from Afghanistan and is in that firehouse today,” Bloomberg said. “Just as Lt. Murphy was motivated by our bravest in New York, we’ll be forever inspired by his courage and service.”
Sen. Chuck Schumer noted that as a kid Murphy had also been the first on the scene to help and said when he was in the 8th grade he once chased away bullies who were picking on a special-needs student. He did the same in high school when a group of kids taunted a homeless man.
“Michael Murphy represented the best of America and the best of Long Island. Throughout his life he showed strength, he showed courage, he showed humility.
“In Afghanistan, the same characteristics he showed as a young boy exhibited themselves on the field of battle.”
Past and present members of Spanish Harlem’s Engine 53 and Ladder 43 were also on hand.
FDNY Capt. Ray Farrell added “We’re all connected because he was wearing our patch when he was killed in Afghanistan.“
sabrina.ford@nypost.com