Army Staff Sgt Murphrey was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska. He was killed while on patrol when he stepped on a pressurized plate that set off an improvised explosive device. Michael was a 2003 graduate of Snyder High School in Snyder, Texas. While in high school, he was an all-district defensive end on the football team and competed in hurdles for the track team. He also served as the escort for the boys track team queen and helped the football team earn a playoff berth his senior year. His football coach remembers an outstanding young man who worked hard and looked out for others. Michael decided he wanted to join the Army after the September 11 attacks and was on his third tour of duty in a war zone. During his tours, he earned six medals of valor. While home to see his wife, Ashley, and their two children, he was proud to show them his new skill of playing the acoustic guitar. Michael loved hunting, fishing and motorcycles – he was basically an outdoor kind of guy. He was also laid-back, easy going and loved his wife, two children, and the men he commanded. Michael was that rare sort of person who would give you the shirt off his back – he'd help you do anything.
Army Staff Sgt Murphrey was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska. He was killed while on patrol when he stepped on a pressurized plate that set off an improvised explosive device. Michael was a 2003 graduate of Snyder High School in Snyder, Texas. While in high school, he was an all-district defensive end on the football team and competed in hurdles for the track team. He also served as the escort for the boys track team queen and helped the football team earn a playoff berth his senior year. His football coach remembers an outstanding young man who worked hard and looked out for others. Michael decided he wanted to join the Army after the September 11 attacks and was on his third tour of duty in a war zone. During his tours, he earned six medals of valor. While home to see his wife, Ashley, and their two children, he was proud to show them his new skill of playing the acoustic guitar. Michael loved hunting, fishing and motorcycles – he was basically an outdoor kind of guy. He was also laid-back, easy going and loved his wife, two children, and the men he commanded. Michael was that rare sort of person who would give you the shirt off his back – he'd help you do anything.
