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This is an absolutely amazing young man. You probably have no idea who he is although in a way many of you became “acquainted” with him yesterday…
This is Lt Michael P. Murphy aka “Murph”, and this is the story (taken from http://www.navy.mil/moh/mpmurphy/index.html):
On June 28, 2005, deep behind enemy lines east of Asadabad in the Hindu Kush of Afghanistan, a very committed four-man Navy SEAL team was conducting a reconnaissance mission at the unforgiving altitude of approximately 10,000 feet. The SEALs, Lt. Michael Murphy, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Danny Dietz, Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew Axelson and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SEAL) Marcus Luttrell had a vital task. The four SEALs were scouting Ahmad Shah – a terrorist in his mid-30s who grew up in the adjacent mountains just to the south.
Under the assumed name Muhammad Ismail, Shah led a guerrilla group known to locals as the “Mountain Tigers” that had aligned with the Taliban and other militant groups close to the Pakistani border. The SEAL mission was compromised when the team was spotted by local nationals, who presumably reported its presence and location to the Taliban.
A fierce firefight erupted between the four SEALs and a much larger enemy force of more than 50 anti-coalition militia. The enemy had the SEALs outnumbered. They also had terrain advantage. They launched a well-organized, three-sided attack on the SEALs. The firefight continued relentlessly as the overwhelming militia forced the team deeper into a ravine. Â
Trying to reach safety, the four men, now each wounded, began bounding down the mountain’s steep sides, making leaps of 20 to 30 feet. Approximately 45 minutes into the fight, pinned down by overwhelming forces, Dietz, the communications petty officer, sought open air to place a distress call back to the base. But before he could, he was shot in the hand, the blast shattering his thumb.
Despite the intensity of the firefight and suffering grave gunshot wounds himself, Murphy is credited with risking his own life to save the lives of his teammates. Murphy, intent on making contact with headquarters, but realizing this would be impossible in the extreme terrain where they were fighting, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own life moved into the open, where he could gain a better position to transmit a call to get help for his men.
Moving away from the protective mountain rocks, he knowingly exposed himself to increased enemy gunfire. This deliberate and heroic act deprived him of cover and made him a target for the enemy. While continuing to be fired upon, Murphy made contact with the SOF Quick Reaction Force at Bagram Air Base and requested assistance. He calmly provided his unit’s location and the size of the enemy force while requesting immediate support for his team. At one point he was shot in the back causing him to drop the transmitter. Murphy picked it back up, completed the call and continued firing at the enemy who was closing in. Severely wounded, Lt. Murphy returned to his cover position with his men and continued the battle…
There is actually quite a bit more to the story but I didn’t want to post the entire thing here so please continue reading his story here (I highly recommend reading “Summary of Action”, “Official Citation” and his “Biography”)
In addition to this write up there is a book about this event as well by the one surviving team member Marcus Luttrell called “Lone Survivor” and apparently there is also a movie being made based on the book.
Post thoughts to “Comments”
Workout of the Day (it was Murph’s favorite and upon his passing was named after him):
“Murph”
- 1 Mile Run
- 100 Pull Ups
- 200 Push Ups
- 300 Squats
- 1 Mile Run
The pull ups, push ups and squats may be partitioned as needed.
And by the way, to be truly Rx’d this is all done wearing a 20lb vest.
Post results to “Comments”
August 13th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Some more short reads on Murph and Operation Red Wing (I know its Wikipedia but it is still interesting)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_P._Murphy
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Red_Wing
August 13th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Thanks for the background. After reading about the battle it makes sore muscles and losing some skin on my hands seem like not such a big deal.
August 13th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
This is a great article, as the daughter of a soldier of war I know how hard it is for these men and women to leave their families with the knowledge that they may not come home. Although I did not do this WOD yesterday I look forward to doing it next time around!
This is an awesome way to honor a fellow crossfitter and hero.
August 13th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Wow!
I never knew any of that. I guess that gives us no excuse (whatsoever) to think anything is too tough.
August 13th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
and because of that story, I will not complain when I can’t run my marathon on Sunday, cause my legs are still going to be sore.
August 13th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
This article gives everyone a little more insight as to what really happens when fighting a war. As the daughter of a war soldier I know how hard it is to send our men and women to battle. This WOD is the perfect way th honor a fellow crossfitter and hero!!
Although I missed this workout, I look forward to being strong enough next time around to give it my all!
August 13th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
oops totally thought the first comment I made didn’t get posted, oh well
August 13th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
that is a truly inspring story, and since i have read it i am not complaining. I cannot imagine what our troops go thru, they are truly special people in this world that cannot be taken granted for.
ps. thanks to everyone that cheered me on to finish with that vest on, when i turned that corner to finish my last loop and saw the whole group cheering me on it made me push that much harder to finsh, and thanks to becky too for running an extra mile with me. It was awesome to see everyone accomplish such a tough WOD. great job guys!!
August 13th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Jenny, it was awesome to see you complete Murph with the vest yesterday. It made it even better to see you upbeat the entire time. I think the highlight had to be when you were running, holding on to the vest to try and keep it from moving around. I mean, crap - not only did you do it with the vest, but with one that didn’t even fit. Not going to lie, it was pretty impressive.
So much respect for the Rx’ed - you’re a machine!!
Also, thanks Kim for doing Murph with me at 7am. I was really happy to not have a repeat of Angie and suffer through it alone!
August 13th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
That story really makes me proud to have done a workout in Lt. Murphy’s honour. Especially one that kicked my ass that bad! Thanks for the info Kim.
August 14th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Great story. Great workout.
I am still sore 18 hrs after. Despite how long it took, was just glad to have rx’d it. Having done that, I am incredibly impressed with those who rx’d it in really good time. I am also really impressed with the lighter people (i.e. Jenny) whom the 20lbs must feel like a lot more weight than it would have for me. Wicked workout.
Gotta do it again before the snow falls. I’ll try to have my own vest by then.
August 14th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Hey Kim, any chance I could do Murph since I missed this one?
Its one I have been eye balling for a while and it sounds like it went over huge.
Anyone want to join me?
August 14th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Sliv will probably join you. He has to take a minute off his time.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Well if Sliv does it again I guess I should too…
August 14th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
You guys should go head-to-head. That would actually be pretty entertaining to watch. Throw Jonny into the mix too - he still needs to do Murph, doesn’t he?
August 14th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Charles, I’m with you on being sore still…it just keeps getting worst haha. Triathlon tomorrow should be fun :s
Congrats again on finishing Rx’d!
August 14th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Wow,
I was going to complain about “Murph” till I read about him, he deserves all of the accolades that have been bestowed on him. He was a true hero, RIP Lt. Murphy
August 14th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
yeah i would like to see this rematch of sliv and zwack, and your right darron, jonny still needs to do it. i think i am satisfied until next summer.
August 14th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Curtis, Zwack, & Sliv, and any others that want to do Murph sometime soon:
We’ll sit down and talk and maybe we can bust loose head to head in a class when it is a “choose your own benchmark day.”
I’m stoked to challenge this workout and try to keep up with the Miny Manimal aka Graham.
Flame On!
Ps..I want a piss test on that kid. He’s got to be on something more than dr pepper and fun dip.
August 14th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Also,
On behalf of myself and my family I would like to pay my respects to all the fallen and thank the brave men and women defending us over overseas
August 15th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Same here Jenny. I think my Murph goal is to do it with the vest when we get outside next spring.
…Gives me the winter to work up to it!
August 17th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
I’m in for another Murph day asap…It’d be fun to actually do it with a group for a change…I’ve solo’d it twice now and it is truly a mind f**k when no one else is around. lol
Also….I second a piss test for the Granimal.
August 18th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
I can’t believe i’m about to say this, but fella’s, let me know when we’re gonna take on Murph, i’d like to give it a go again with a vest!
August 19th, 2009 at 2:54 am
you guys are a bunch of crazies!!!! but i do want to do it again but i am going to find a womens vest for next time.
August 19th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
First you say your satisfied until next summer, now you want to do it again! Crazy Jenny!
I think the best vest would be one like Graham’s, but then take it into a sports tailor and have them shorten the shoulders a bit.
August 19th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Okay….so Role Call for Murph?!
So far we have:
Jonny, Curtis, Zwack,Brett, Jenny and Sliv
I say we shoot for mid to end of September, that way anyone who needs a vest has time to grab one. Agreed?
August 20th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
I’m in for sure. Mid sept sounds great.
I should have my own vest by then. Thanks again sliv.
Remember we are gonna have to do it again in the spring when everyones favorite ginger is back!
August 20th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
I’m in…FML…
August 21st, 2009 at 7:17 am
I’m in too.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:34 am
Count me in for MURPH as well! End/mid September sounds good!
Where’s a good place to a (female)vest?
August 21st, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Holy S**t!
Okay…so now we have:
Graham (Defending InterContinental Champ), J Humen, C Humen, Meaghan, Jonny, Curtis, Zwack, Brett…and me.
Uh oh kids….this could get ugly!
haha
August 21st, 2009 at 5:09 pm
You have gotta love a group of people who are simply volunteering to go through that much punishment again for “fun”. Should be a good time!
August 21st, 2009 at 5:29 pm
I might as well jump on this band wagon as well.
August 21st, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Whooooodalolly!
This should be classic!
I just have one request:
Can I please start ahead of Jenny? She has flailing elbows and makes these velocoraptor noises when she runs that, quite frankly, scare the s**t outta me. I really would only feel safe If I had Warden Muldoon from the Jurassic Park movie running with me, tranq gun ready.
August 21st, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Oh,
& to make things interesting: looser picks up the beers or norcal margaritas.
Sliv, start saving ….haha jk
August 21st, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Since I missed murph this time around I am DEFINITELY in next time. I am totally up for the group challenge!! Winner takes all and loser buys drinks.
August 22nd, 2009 at 2:52 am
hhahahahahaha thats funny!!
So thats why nobody wants to run around me?? just because i have a trex claw that comes out when i run, jeez, who knew?
August 22nd, 2009 at 7:38 am
This sucks….count me in too!
August 22nd, 2009 at 9:54 am
” Stand as still as possible. The Jennysaurous Rex reacts to movements.”
Add Timmmmmmmmmyyyyyyy to list.
August 24th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
I got hammered on the NorCal Margherita this weekend….very dangerous thing. lol
August 25th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Never done “Murph”, even if it kills me I gotta try it. Where can I get a vest?…if not, I have a 30 lb kid I can throw in a front carrier.
August 25th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Oh great parenting, Phil!
August 26th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Phil, a good place to get a vest is Physique Fitness, there is one on Calgary Trail and 63 Ave, and one on the west end 170 St. and not 100% sure the ave. Some guys at the gym recommended it to me, I just got mine.
August 26th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Thanks Brett. I know where that is then…I’ll head there and pick one up.
August 27th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Count me in again. But with my time, I am not sure I like the loser buys drinks part. I am just looking to improve my time. I think I could go sub hour but I would be hard pressed to beat most of the current people on the list.
August 27th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Also, we should get a date and time set up soon. I suggest a special ‘Murph’ Rx’d session. Maybe on the 19th or 26th of September at noon. BYOV.
September 2nd, 2009 at 3:33 pm
the weekend of september 26th works for me. I do not have any weekends off until that point. If we are going to go with last buys drinks I am going to need to start saving. I will need a long straw because I have a feeling I will not be able to move a glass. I am still nursing sore arms from Josh.
September 7th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Your all CRAZY…. Except Jenny!
I want to try this too. I’ll get a vest and exchange the weights with styrofoam, kidding.(I will not be last!!!) Does the old guy have to do 100 pullups when he can’t even do one honest one ? I can use a bungee right ? I like a challenge, so I’m in. But I’m not buying Jon any drinks I’m always picking up his bills. Do the vests come with any options like a built in Defibulator ? I’m serious !
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