Bottom Line Up Front: If LT Michael Murphy had been a cold-hearted killer, me may very well be alive today.

Because the U.S. military trains ethics and moral codes to its soldiers, and because soldiers usually adhere to those ethics, soldiers are at greater risk of death and injury because when faced with the moral dilemma of erring on the side of caution for themselves or a civilian, they usually choose the latter.

This point is made clear in a letter to the editor of the Wall Street Journal by a former Army officer about the incredible story of LT Michael Murphy, who recently received the Medal of Honor.  

But first, some background:  

Navy SEAL LT Michael Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military award given by the United States, two years after his death in Afghanistan on June 28, 2005.

Murphy’s mission was to find, kill or capture Ahmad Shah, a high-ranking terrorist leader guarded by scores of heavily armed Taliban fighters.

As Murphy and his men watched and waited on the mountain, three Afghan shepherds trailing a herd of goats crossed their paths, blowing their cover. The shepherds presumably reported their presence and location to the Taliban and a fierce firefight ensued.  Murphy decided against killing the shepherds to prevent the outing of their position.  According to LT. Murphy’s father:

“Michael was adamant that the civilians were going to be released, that he wasn’t going to kill innocent people … “

President Bush, who awarded the Medal of Honor to Murphy’s parents on their son’s behalf, described what happened next this way:

……and the SEALs launched a valiant counterattack while cascading from cliff to cliff. But as the enemy closed in, Michael recognized that the survival of his men depended on calling back to the base for reinforcements. With complete disregard for his own life, he moved into a clearing where his phone would get reception. He made the call, and Michael then fell under heavy fire. Yet his grace and upbringing never deserted him. Though severely wounded, he said “thank you” before hanging up, and returned to the fight — before losing his life.

A Wall Street Journal letter to the editor today said this:

If Lt. Murphy Had Been A Cold-Blooded Killer
November 5, 2007; Page A17

As a former Army officer from Long Island, I was moved by Mark Lasswell’s account of how Lt. Michael Murphy won the Medal of Honor and the story of the one Navy SEAL who made it back to tell the story (”Lone Survivor,” Oct. 27, editorial page).

What struck me was that Lt. Murphy’s unit was discovered by three goat herders. If the SEALs executed those herders, Lt. Murphy and his men might have survived. But we train officers in morality in the U.S. military. By doing the right thing, Lt. Murphy and 18 other Americans perished. Why didn’t the media pick up on this part of the story? Is it because it doesn’t fit the assumption that our soldiers are murderous thugs, killing and terrorizing women and children in the night?

Rich Bilello
USMA ‘90
Bay Shore, N.Y.

Politics create a moral dilemma: using military or civilian deaths to influence public policy and opinion against the war can actually create more casualties, but where is the media focus on LT Murphy’s selfless humanitarianism and compassion?

SIGN THE FAMILY GUESTBOOK FOR LT. MICHAEL MURPHY

Cross-posted @: Bottom Line Up Front

1. Lt. Murphy’s heroism was thoughly covered and prominently played in every major national newspaper. Isn’t your use of his death to support your false illusion of media neglect exactly the kind of political exploitation that you imagine the media is guilty of?

   Comment by Name Not Important — November 7, 2007 @ 10:01 am

2. Um, no. I’m not “using” his death, I’m making a point that the military trains ethics and morals to its soldiers.

   I’d have to disagree that “Lt. Murphy’s heroism was thoughly covered and prominently played in every major national newspaper.” It was covered prominently in conservative blogs.

   A 3 star general whom my husband works for here at Ft. Leavenworth noted the inappropriate lack of coverage such an honor received, while Haditha Marines or Abu Ghraib Reseverists hasd non-stop coverage that continues to this day. I think his point is well made.

   Comment by Amy Proctor — November 7, 2007 @ 4:59 pm