Courtesy Photo | Pfc. Steven Murphy a native of Westford, Mass., and infantryman, Company B, 1st...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. J.B. Jaso III
1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Eight-months ago, Pfc. Steven Murphy, a native of Westford, Mass., married his wife Sarah, in front of family and friends. Now he is thousands of miles away from his wife, and serves with Company B, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"I was sick of not being a part of the war efforts," the 22-year-old infantryman said.
He joined the Army in 2007 to deploy.
"It wasn't a matter of if, it was a matter of when," he said.
He said he chose to become an infantryman because it "seemed more fun, and it was just right for me."
Before embarking on his 15-month deployment to Iraq, Murphy trained with his unit at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif.
His training in California has been rewarded by his squad identifying enemy cache locations throughout his unit's area of operations in the northwest Baghdad area. During his first cache recovery mission, his unit captured armor piercing rounds, which could have been used in attacks against either Iraqi security forces or coalition forces.
"We're doing good things over here, and we are noticing that [Iraqi's] are moving back in [the area] because it's safe," he said about his unit's mission to help secure an area northwest of Baghdad.
"Murphy is highly motivated and works incredibly hard," said 1st Lt. Pete Walther, an Orlando, Fla., native. Walther is Murphy's platoon leader, Company B, 1st Bn., 27th Inf. Regt. 2nd SBCT, 25th Inf. Div, MND-B. "I've never seen a frown on his face."
Murphy's positive attitude and motivation has spread throughout his platoon, which is why he was selected as the only Soldier in his company to be apart of the division's combat patch ceremony.
"I'm going home with it on," he said.
Murphy will be home in Hawaii in approximately 13 months, but for now, he said he is happy he and his unit are making a difference in the lives of the people of Iraq.
| Date Taken: | 03.03.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 03.03.2008 09:16 |
| Story ID: | 16927 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 897 |
| Downloads: | 848 |
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