Edward Murphy

Edward John Murphy, a retired Army Colonel, died Sunday at his home. He Was 73. Mr. Murphy was born in Camp Grove, Ill., and lived in New Orleans 45 Years. he was past President Of The Louisiana National Guard and a member Of The American Ex-Pow's Association, President Of The 459th Bomb Group Association And A Member Of The Military Shooting Association and the National Rifle Association.

He was a Veteran Of World War II and the Korean War. He received The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, a Purple Heart, The Air Force Meritorious Service Award and the Louisiana Distinguished Service Medal.

Survivors include his wife, Julia Edmondson Murphy; a son, Daniel Murphy, a daughter, Kathleen Posey; a brother, Donald Murphy; two sisters, Marcella Rohman and Ruth Murphy; and two Grand Children. A Mass was said Tuesday at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home. Burial was in Metairie Cemetery. 02-10-1994 Times Picayune

15th AAF Officer Pilot's Chocolate 'Ike' Jacket - History Coat, Elastique, O.D., Dark, Officers. 37R. 1944 dated. Lovely dark green 'chocolate' 'Ike' jacket. It would appear to have been carefully tailored from a standard 4-pocket tunic. Fitted with pin-backed Captain rank bars, clutch backed 'U.S' and 'Winged Props' (Sterling clutches), embroidered felt AAF patch and fully embroidered 15th AAF patch. Also has a very good Sterling marked pin-backed pilot wing, 3 overseas bars, distinguished unit citation badge and ribbons for DFC, Air Medal and Oak leaf cluster and Defense Service medal. There is evidence of another medal bar but this is missing. Overall condition is very good bar a few moth nips. No serious problems at all. Named to the owner, Edward John Murphy who was assigned to the 757th Bomb Squadron of the 459th Bomb Group. He was stationed at Cerignola piloting B-24s on raids on Ploesti, Monte Casino and Munich amongst others. Comes with a typed sheet of information relayed from his daughter that suggests his aircraft was badly hit with flak causing him to belly land the aircraft in Hungary. He was taken POW until the end of the war. Post-war he flew as a pilot for Southern Airlines and as a flight instructor during the Korean war. He was also active during the Cuban Missile crisis and retired in the mid 1970s as a Colonel and commander of the 159th Fighter Squadron. He died suddenly in 1992. Comes with a small photocopy photograph of him at Rankin Field (with other aircrew) and a photocopy photo of him in 1973. There is also a photocopy of a letter he wrote to his parents upon release from the POW camp.

1st Lt Edward J Murphy was assigned to the 459th BG 757th Squadron.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS): Pilot.

The following information on Edward Murphy is gathered and extracted from military records. We have many documents and copies of documents, including military award documents. It is from these documents that we have found this information on 1st Lt Murphy. These serviceman's records are nowhere near complete and we are always looking for more material. If you can help add to Edward Murphy's military record please contact us.

	Rank	General Order	Date	Award
Edward Murphy	1st Lt	195	04/10/1944	AM
Edward Murphy	1st Lt	911	06/08/1944	AM/OLC
Edward Murphy	1st Lt	911	06/08/1944	AM/2OLC
Edward Murphy	1st Lt	1433	06/28/1944	AM/3OLC