No Time For Heroes?

In our pop culture driven society of Britney, Lindsay, and self-important reality television "stars," most Americans probably don't know the story of Michael Murphy:

Medal of Honor. The words alone are enough to strike reverential solemnity into any American's heart. The nation's highest recognition of battlefield gallantry and valor, awarded to but a very few of the best of the best who have served their country above and beyond the call of duty. Won now - posthumously, as most are - by a very brave Long Islander named Michael Murphy, who laid down his life in Afghanistan in June 2005, age 29.

Murphy, from Patchogue, was a proud member of the U.S. Navy's SEALs, one of the toughest outfits in the military, an elite force that only the best of the best ever manage to get into in the first place. He and three comrades were dropped into the Afghan mountains to chase down a Taliban warlord, but Taliban insurgents found them first.

In the ferocious shootout that followed, Lt. Murphy drew fire to himself so that his fellow SEALs might escape with their lives. Tragically, two of them didn't. The man who did survive returned to the world with the glowing testimonials to Murphy's courage that have resulted now, with full and ample cause, in the first Medal of Honor awarded for duty in Afghanistan.

"An iron-souled warrior," he called Murphy. A man who belongs now and forever to the nation's history and legacy.

Michael Murphy's courage and sacrifice were dramatically recounted by Marcus Luttrell--the only SEAL to survive the mission--in the book Lone Survivor:



With the recent deluge of Hollywood releases seemingly designed to show the American military (and indirectly America itself) at its worst, it's encouraging to learn that the story of Lone Survivor will be told on the big screen:

Universal is the "Lone Survivor" in the tug of war over Marcus Luttrell's life story. Peter Berg will adapt and direct the feature about a Navy Seal who led a team into Afghanistan on a mission to kill a Taliban leader but was the only one to survive.

Several producers were vying for the tome, published by Little, Brown in June after Luttrell exited the service. Attorney Alan U. Schwartz of Greenberg Traurig, who helped Luttrell find a publisher for his account, arranged for the former soldier to meet with potential writers and producers for the film version of his story.

Scott Johnson has more on Michael Murphy's story and the lack of attention it has received in the media in posts here and here.