Long Island Hero To Receive Posthumous Medal of Honor

Back in February, I wrote that Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy was being considered for a Congressional Medal of Honor.

I can now write to say that President Bush will bestow Murphy with the Medal of Honor for his actions in saving a team member on a mission in Afghanistan in which he lost his life.

Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy of Patchogue was killed in June 2005 after leading a four-man reconnaissance mission to find a key Taliban leader east of Asadabad.

The mission turned to disaster when local sympathizers informed militants of the frogmen's position and the SEAL team came under heavy fire.

Even after being wounded, Murphy crawled into the open to make a radio call and continued to fight, the Navy said. That call allowed for the rescue of one wounded man, who eventually wrote a book about the firefight.

Bush will present the Medal of Honor to Murphy's parents at the White House on Oct. 22.

It is a bittersweet moment for Murphy's family and friends, but it is an accolade that is most deserving.