Paul C. Murphey, Jr., prominent Bosque County rancher and World War II Ace fighter pilot, died Monday, January 16, 2006. Services will be at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, January 19, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Waco. Visitation with the family will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.
Paul was born in Waco, Texas, to the late Dr. Paul C. Murphey, Sr. and Cora Tilly Murphey. He attended Waco public schools and graduated from Kemper Academy in 1940. He enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1941 awaiting flight training. He graduated in Class 43D, April 12, 1943, receiving his wings at Williams Field, Phoenix, AZ, then transitioned to a P-38 unit for fighter pilot training. He was among the first 12 in his class ordered to overseas duty. He arrived in Brisbane, Australia, June 28, 1943 and about a week later, joined the 80th Squadron, 8th Fighter Group at Ports Moresby, New Guinea.
His introduction to air combat was immediate. He was credited with shooting down an enemy aircraft on his first mission. Murphey said the skilled veteran pilots in the squadron helped all the rookies learn to survive. As the air war continued, he was destined to teach rookie pilots the skills of survival. He commented that there were always enough Zeros (Japanese fighter planes) for everybody.
The squadron saw duty over numerous targets including Lae and Wewak, New Guinea; Hollandia Dutch New Guinea; Rabaul, New Britain. Murphey and his 80th Squadron mates learned to squeeze maximum air time out of minimum fuel on missions to distant targets such as Borneo and Formosa.
He became an Ace in Dec, 1944, at Mindoro, Philippine Islands. In late April, 1945, after almost two years of air combat and finally leading the squadron, he was ordered home. He had earned the following decorations: Distinguished Flying Cross with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters; three Presidential Unit Citations; Southwest Pacific Campaign medal with 6 Battle Stars and the Philippine Liberation ribbon with a battle star. His rank was a Captain.
After returning to the United States in 1945, Murphey married Sue Brooks of Houston. He entered Texas Tech, where he was an honor student and received a Bachelor Degree in Animal Husbandry. He was named manager and later became owner of the Circle M Ranch, which has bred Hereford cattle for over 60 years. Murphey served two terms as a director of the Texas Hereford Breeders Association.
He was an active member of the Meridian Chamber of Commerce, Meridian Lions Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Meridian Post; Meridian School Board, four terms; St. James Episcopal Church, Meridian, Treasurer and senior warden. Upon closure of the church by the diocese, he transferred membership to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Waco. He was an ardent life-long golfer and enjoyed hunting and fishing.
The couple traveled to Russia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, Southeast Asia, Japan, Canada, and Alaska. He was a familiar figure at reunions of the 80th squadron, which remains an active duty unit of the U.S. Air Force.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Sue.
Survivors include his daughter, Elizabeth Milam, of Waco; son, Paul C. Murphey, III and wife, Jane Stockard, of Meridian; grandaughters, Mary Beth Milam, Margaret Brooks Milam and Laura Ann Murphey; grandsons, Robert Edward Murphey, Michael Carlton Murphey, David Ray Murphey and sister, Dorothy M. Kendrick, of Waco; other relatives and many friends.
Waco Tribune-Herald: 1/17/2006 - 1/18/2006...F
Paul was born in Waco, Texas, to the late Dr. Paul C. Murphey, Sr. and Cora Tilly Murphey. He attended Waco public schools and graduated from Kemper Academy in 1940. He enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1941 awaiting flight training. He graduated in Class 43D, April 12, 1943, receiving his wings at Williams Field, Phoenix, AZ, then transitioned to a P-38 unit for fighter pilot training. He was among the first 12 in his class ordered to overseas duty. He arrived in Brisbane, Australia, June 28, 1943 and about a week later, joined the 80th Squadron, 8th Fighter Group at Ports Moresby, New Guinea.
His introduction to air combat was immediate. He was credited with shooting down an enemy aircraft on his first mission. Murphey said the skilled veteran pilots in the squadron helped all the rookies learn to survive. As the air war continued, he was destined to teach rookie pilots the skills of survival. He commented that there were always enough Zeros (Japanese fighter planes) for everybody.
The squadron saw duty over numerous targets including Lae and Wewak, New Guinea; Hollandia Dutch New Guinea; Rabaul, New Britain. Murphey and his 80th Squadron mates learned to squeeze maximum air time out of minimum fuel on missions to distant targets such as Borneo and Formosa.
He became an Ace in Dec, 1944, at Mindoro, Philippine Islands. In late April, 1945, after almost two years of air combat and finally leading the squadron, he was ordered home. He had earned the following decorations: Distinguished Flying Cross with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters; three Presidential Unit Citations; Southwest Pacific Campaign medal with 6 Battle Stars and the Philippine Liberation ribbon with a battle star. His rank was a Captain.
After returning to the United States in 1945, Murphey married Sue Brooks of Houston. He entered Texas Tech, where he was an honor student and received a Bachelor Degree in Animal Husbandry. He was named manager and later became owner of the Circle M Ranch, which has bred Hereford cattle for over 60 years. Murphey served two terms as a director of the Texas Hereford Breeders Association.
He was an active member of the Meridian Chamber of Commerce, Meridian Lions Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Meridian Post; Meridian School Board, four terms; St. James Episcopal Church, Meridian, Treasurer and senior warden. Upon closure of the church by the diocese, he transferred membership to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Waco. He was an ardent life-long golfer and enjoyed hunting and fishing.
The couple traveled to Russia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, Southeast Asia, Japan, Canada, and Alaska. He was a familiar figure at reunions of the 80th squadron, which remains an active duty unit of the U.S. Air Force.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Sue.
Survivors include his daughter, Elizabeth Milam, of Waco; son, Paul C. Murphey, III and wife, Jane Stockard, of Meridian; grandaughters, Mary Beth Milam, Margaret Brooks Milam and Laura Ann Murphey; grandsons, Robert Edward Murphey, Michael Carlton Murphey, David Ray Murphey and sister, Dorothy M. Kendrick, of Waco; other relatives and many friends.
Waco Tribune-Herald: 1/17/2006 - 1/18/2006...F
Paul C. Murphey, Jr., prominent Bosque County rancher and World War II Ace fighter pilot, died Monday, January 16, 2006. Services will be at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, January 19, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Waco. Visitation with the family will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.
Paul was born in Waco, Texas, to the late Dr. Paul C. Murphey, Sr. and Cora Tilly Murphey. He attended Waco public schools and graduated from Kemper Academy in 1940. He enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1941 awaiting flight training. He graduated in Class 43D, April 12, 1943, receiving his wings at Williams Field, Phoenix, AZ, then transitioned to a P-38 unit for fighter pilot training. He was among the first 12 in his class ordered to overseas duty. He arrived in Brisbane, Australia, June 28, 1943 and about a week later, joined the 80th Squadron, 8th Fighter Group at Ports Moresby, New Guinea.
His introduction to air combat was immediate. He was credited with shooting down an enemy aircraft on his first mission. Murphey said the skilled veteran pilots in the squadron helped all the rookies learn to survive. As the air war continued, he was destined to teach rookie pilots the skills of survival. He commented that there were always enough Zeros (Japanese fighter planes) for everybody.
The squadron saw duty over numerous targets including Lae and Wewak, New Guinea; Hollandia Dutch New Guinea; Rabaul, New Britain. Murphey and his 80th Squadron mates learned to squeeze maximum air time out of minimum fuel on missions to distant targets such as Borneo and Formosa.
He became an Ace in Dec, 1944, at Mindoro, Philippine Islands. In late April, 1945, after almost two years of air combat and finally leading the squadron, he was ordered home. He had earned the following decorations: Distinguished Flying Cross with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters; three Presidential Unit Citations; Southwest Pacific Campaign medal with 6 Battle Stars and the Philippine Liberation ribbon with a battle star. His rank was a Captain.
After returning to the United States in 1945, Murphey married Sue Brooks of Houston. He entered Texas Tech, where he was an honor student and received a Bachelor Degree in Animal Husbandry. He was named manager and later became owner of the Circle M Ranch, which has bred Hereford cattle for over 60 years. Murphey served two terms as a director of the Texas Hereford Breeders Association.
He was an active member of the Meridian Chamber of Commerce, Meridian Lions Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Meridian Post; Meridian School Board, four terms; St. James Episcopal Church, Meridian, Treasurer and senior warden. Upon closure of the church by the diocese, he transferred membership to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Waco. He was an ardent life-long golfer and enjoyed hunting and fishing.
The couple traveled to Russia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, Southeast Asia, Japan, Canada, and Alaska. He was a familiar figure at reunions of the 80th squadron, which remains an active duty unit of the U.S. Air Force.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Sue.
Survivors include his daughter, Elizabeth Milam, of Waco; son, Paul C. Murphey, III and wife, Jane Stockard, of Meridian; grandaughters, Mary Beth Milam, Margaret Brooks Milam and Laura Ann Murphey; grandsons, Robert Edward Murphey, Michael Carlton Murphey, David Ray Murphey and sister, Dorothy M. Kendrick, of Waco; other relatives and many friends.
Waco Tribune-Herald: 1/17/2006 - 1/18/2006...F
Paul was born in Waco, Texas, to the late Dr. Paul C. Murphey, Sr. and Cora Tilly Murphey. He attended Waco public schools and graduated from Kemper Academy in 1940. He enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1941 awaiting flight training. He graduated in Class 43D, April 12, 1943, receiving his wings at Williams Field, Phoenix, AZ, then transitioned to a P-38 unit for fighter pilot training. He was among the first 12 in his class ordered to overseas duty. He arrived in Brisbane, Australia, June 28, 1943 and about a week later, joined the 80th Squadron, 8th Fighter Group at Ports Moresby, New Guinea.
His introduction to air combat was immediate. He was credited with shooting down an enemy aircraft on his first mission. Murphey said the skilled veteran pilots in the squadron helped all the rookies learn to survive. As the air war continued, he was destined to teach rookie pilots the skills of survival. He commented that there were always enough Zeros (Japanese fighter planes) for everybody.
The squadron saw duty over numerous targets including Lae and Wewak, New Guinea; Hollandia Dutch New Guinea; Rabaul, New Britain. Murphey and his 80th Squadron mates learned to squeeze maximum air time out of minimum fuel on missions to distant targets such as Borneo and Formosa.
He became an Ace in Dec, 1944, at Mindoro, Philippine Islands. In late April, 1945, after almost two years of air combat and finally leading the squadron, he was ordered home. He had earned the following decorations: Distinguished Flying Cross with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters; three Presidential Unit Citations; Southwest Pacific Campaign medal with 6 Battle Stars and the Philippine Liberation ribbon with a battle star. His rank was a Captain.
After returning to the United States in 1945, Murphey married Sue Brooks of Houston. He entered Texas Tech, where he was an honor student and received a Bachelor Degree in Animal Husbandry. He was named manager and later became owner of the Circle M Ranch, which has bred Hereford cattle for over 60 years. Murphey served two terms as a director of the Texas Hereford Breeders Association.
He was an active member of the Meridian Chamber of Commerce, Meridian Lions Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Meridian Post; Meridian School Board, four terms; St. James Episcopal Church, Meridian, Treasurer and senior warden. Upon closure of the church by the diocese, he transferred membership to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Waco. He was an ardent life-long golfer and enjoyed hunting and fishing.
The couple traveled to Russia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, Southeast Asia, Japan, Canada, and Alaska. He was a familiar figure at reunions of the 80th squadron, which remains an active duty unit of the U.S. Air Force.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Sue.
Survivors include his daughter, Elizabeth Milam, of Waco; son, Paul C. Murphey, III and wife, Jane Stockard, of Meridian; grandaughters, Mary Beth Milam, Margaret Brooks Milam and Laura Ann Murphey; grandsons, Robert Edward Murphey, Michael Carlton Murphey, David Ray Murphey and sister, Dorothy M. Kendrick, of Waco; other relatives and many friends.
Waco Tribune-Herald: 1/17/2006 - 1/18/2006...F
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