Murphy joined the
United States Marine Corps during
commencement from Georgetown. He was commissioned as a
second lieutenant in December 1953. He served as a rifle
platoon commander, participating in the development of
vertical assault doctrine and in
atomic bomb tests. After graduating from the
United States Army Ranger School, he served as series instructor at
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in
San Diego,
California. He then commanded the
Marine Detachment aboard the
United States Navy attack aircraft carrier . From 1961 to 1964 he commanded a rifle
company and the
anti-tank company of the
1st Marine Brigade in
Hawaii. Murphy next completed the
Amphibious Warfare School and the
Nuclear Weapons Employment Course, then served in the
Operations Section of
Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic. In July 1967 he began an assignment as
executive officer of the
2nd Battalion,
9th Marine Regiment, in
South Vietnam, where the
Vietnam War was raging. In July 1968 he became
operations officer of the
3rd Marine Regiment (Reinforced), operating along the
Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone. Returning to the
United States, Murphy completed the
Marine Corps Command and Staff College, then was assigned to
Headquarters Marine Corps, where he had duty until August 1972 as Ground
Lieutenant Colonel Monitor and Head, Ground Officers Control Unit in the Personnel Department. In 1973, Murphy earned a
master's degree in
international affairs from
The George Washington University. He also completed studies at the
National War College in June 1973. He then reported to the
3rd Marine Division on
Okinawa, where he took command of the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. He later served as
commanding officer of
Battalion Landing Team 2/9 in
Australia until June 1974. Again returning to the United States, Murphy served as Special Assistant and Marine Corps Aide to the
Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. In September 1976 he became Head, Leadership Instruction Department, at
Marine Corps Base Quantico,
Virginia. In August 1977 he assumed command of
The Basic School. During his tour at The Basic School, he was selected for promotion to
brigadier general. Murphy received his promotion to brigadier general in July 1979 and began an assignment as assistant
division commander of the
2nd Marine Division at
Camp Lejeune,
North Carolina. In July 1980 he was assigned duty as assistant chief of staff for plans at
ROK/US Combined Forces Command in
Seoul,
South Korea. He became Deputy Commander,
Fleet Marine Force, Pacific in Hawaii in July 1982. Promoted to
major general in March 1983, he became deputy chief of staff for manpower and Director, Personnel Management Division at Headquarters Marine Corps in June 1983. Murphy assumed command of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune on 29 August 1984. He remained in command of the division until 29 October 1987 and retired in November 1987 after 34 years of service in the Marine Corps. ==Later life==