Senate Resolution No. 2881

BY: Senator JORDAN

COMMENDING John Francis Murphy, Jr. posthumously
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend John
Francis Murphy, Jr. posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, John Francis Murphy, Jr., affectionately known as Jack, was
born on March 14, 1936, and was a native of Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, He enlisted in the United States Army on June 3, 1953, and
after basic training, went on to learn the role of personnel specialist;
during the Korean War, John Francis Murphy, Jr. was assigned to the 84th
Engineer Aviation Battalion where he served for 10 months and 16 days in
a combat zone until a cease fire was signed; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Third Class John Francis Murphy, Jr. was later
assigned to the 132 Engineer Aviation Brigade; he was honorably
discharged on February 17, 1956, at Wolters AFB, in Mineral Wells,
Texas; and

WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, John
Francis Murphy, Jr. received the National Defense Service Medal, the
Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal; and

WHEREAS, Active in his community, John Francis Murphy, Jr. was a
member of the A.B. Shaw Fire Company, St. John's and St. Thomas'
Lutheran Church, the Hudson Elks, Hudson VFW, Hudson American Legion,
Hudson Power Boat Association, and the Hudson Whalers Pop Warner
Football; he also served on the Hudson City School District Board of
Education for 10 years, and was President for two years; he was also a
liaison to the New York State Schools Board; and

WHEREAS, John Francis Murphy, Jr. moved to Pensacola, Florida in
2019 to be near family; he remained a proud member of the Pensacola
American Legion Post 240 until his death on July 8, 2021; and

WHEREAS, He is survived by three children, Thomas John, Linda Jean,
and James, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren;
and


WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
John Francis Murphy, Jr. demonstrated his love for his country and
merits forevermore the highest respect of his State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended,
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication to their communities, their State, and their
Nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend John Francis Murphy, Jr. posthumously upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed
upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of John Francis Murphy, Jr.