John M Murphy

John Michael Murphy was born on Staten Island on Aug. 3, 1926. He enlisted in the Army as a private during World II and after the war attended West Point, graduating in 1950. He won a Distinguished Service Cross and other medals for valor as an officer in the Korean conflict. After leaving the Army in 1956, he became an executive in his father’s trucking business. He made two unsuccessful runs for office — for the Staten Island congressional seat in 1960 and for borough president in 1961 — before being elected to Congress in 1962. MURPHY, John Michael, a Representative from New York; born in Staten Island, Richmond County, N.Y., August 3, 1926; educated in public schools of New York City, La Salle Military Academy, Oakdale, L.I., Amherst (Mass.) College, and the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.; enlisted as a private in the Army in August 1944, promoted to corporal in September 1944, and commissioned a second lieutenant in May 1945; appointed to West Point in July 1946 and graduated in June 1950; went to Korea and served as platoon leader, company commander, and intelligence officer in the Ninth Infantry Regiment; promoted to first lieutenant in October 1950, to captain in October 1953, and was discharged in July 1956; awarded Distinguished Service Cross and the Bronze Star with V and Oak Leaf Cluster; general manager, contract carrier of Staten Island, 1956-1962; president, Cleveland General Transport Co., Inc.; delegate, Democratic National Conventions, 1964, 1968, and 1976; delegate, New York State Constitutional convention, 1967; elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-eighth and to the eight succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1963-January 3, 1981); chairman, Select Committee on the Outer Continental Shelf (Ad Hoc) (Ninety-fourth through Ninety-sixth Congresses), Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries (Ninety-fifth and Ninety-sixth Congresses); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1980 to the Ninety-seventh Congress; investor and developer of biotechnology and high technology companies; is a resident of Staten Island, N.Y. His survivors include two sons; five daughters; two brothers; and several grandchildren.