The IGTNT diaries usually honor recent casualties announced by the US Department of Defense. However, if there is time, other losses which affect our military family are occasionally covered. There were no announcements by the DOD of deaths from the Iraq or Afghanistan wars for the past 5 days, but there were 2 news releases about the death of a well-known veteran, retired US Marine Corps Colonel John Patrick "Jack" Murtha, Jr. Upon hearing of his passing, fellow Congressman David Obey, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee stated:
"He understood the misery of war. Every person who serves in the military has lost an advocate and a good friend today."
Murtha had been a member of the Pennsylvania House from 1969 to 1974. While still in the Marine Reserves, he became the first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to the US Congress in 1974. US Representative Murtha was chairman of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee and had served as its ranking Democrat from 1995 to 2007.
Please also visit the NFTT - In Memoriam diary which pays respects to both Rep. Murtha, and Rep. Wilson
Retired US Marine Corps Colonel John Patrick "Jack" Murtha, Jr.
John Patrick Murtha, Jr. was born June 17, 1932, to an Irish-American family in West Virginia. He was an Eagle Scout and worked delivering newspapers and at a gas station before graduating from The Kiski School in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania.
Murtha left college in 1952 to join the Marines, and was awarded the American Spirit Honor Medal for displaying outstanding leadership qualities during training. He became a drill instructor at Parris Island, South Carolina, and later served in the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Murtha left active service in 1955, but remained in the Marine Forces Reserve. He married his wife, Joyce, in June of 1955 and lived in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He attended the University of Pittsburgh, received a degree in economics, and ran a small business.
Jack Murtha volunteered for service in the Vietnam War. From 1966 to 1967, he served as an intelligence officer. He earned a Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
He was serving in the Pennsylvania House when he was elected to the US Congress in a special election in 1974. In 1990, he retired from the Marine Reserves as a colonel. In his book From Vietnam to 9/11 Murtha wrote:
"Ever since I was a young boy, I had two goals in life – I wanted to be a colonel in the Marine Corps and a member of Congress."
The website for US Representative John P. Murtha, details some of his 37-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, and his further service to our country as a member of Congress:
This first-hand knowledge of military and defense issues has made him a trusted adviser to presidents of both parties and one of the most effective advocates for the national defense in Washington. At the request of Presidents and Speakers of the House, he served as chairman of delegations monitoring elections in the Philippines, El Salvador, Panama and Bosnia.
His countless honors include the National Breast Cancer Coalition Leadership Award, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry's Government Leader of the Year, Pittsburgh's Riverperson of the Year and Pennsylvania's two highest honors, the Distinguished Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. And for his stand on Iraq, motivated by his sincere interest in the brave men and women who wear the uniform of this great nation, he was awarded the 2006 distinguished John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award.
[The picture is from 1960, when Murtha was awarded his Bronze Star]
A statement was released by the US DOD from Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, which credits him with helping to end the Cold War with the Soviets:
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Murtha. America has lost a true patriot who served his country faithfully first in uniform as a decorated combat Marine, and then as an elected representative.
I've known Jack and worked with him for more than two decades, starting back in the Reagan administration when I was at CIA. I will always remember and be grateful for Congressman Murtha's personal efforts on behalf of the Afghan resistance fighting the Soviets - efforts that helped bring about the end of the Cold War.
In our dealings over the years, Jack and I did not always agree, but I always respected his candor, and knew that he cared deeply about the men and women of America's military and intelligence community. My condolences to Joyce and the rest of the Murtha family.
The DOD released this statement by Secretary of the Army John McHugh, which relates how Murtha set aside political differences to work to help our military:
I was greatly saddened to learn of the death of Congressman John Murtha. His unwavering devotion to our men and women in uniform strengthened our nation and will be his legacy.
Although most will remember Congressman Murtha for his public service– first in the Marine Corps and then in Congress – I will remember him as someone who cared deeply for our men and women in uniform.
When I was a newly elected member of Congress, Jack set aside partisan politics and joined me to visit Fort Drum and the men and women of the 10th Mountain Division.
During my nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, I often worked with Jack to bring the necessary resources to our troops. I’m grateful for the example he set, always putting the interests of the military ahead of his own and never losing sight of the individual service member for whom he felt a deep sense of gratitude.
The Army – the entire military – has lost one of its most steadfast advocates in Congressman Murtha. His legacy of devotion to the defense of our nation lives on in those he inspired and in those for whom he dedicated his life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.
Retired Colonel John Patrick "Jack" Murtha, Jr. died February 8th following complications from gallbladder surgery. He was 77, and is survived by his wife, Joyce, and their three children.
Funeral services for the late Congressman John P. Murtha will be held in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. A private funeral service will be held at the Westmont Presbyterian Church on February 16th. The internment will be at the Grandview Cemetery in Johnstown.
In lieu of flowers, the Murtha family suggests contributions be made to the UPMC John P. Murtha Cancer Pavilion (337 Somerset Street, Johnstown, PA 15901) or the Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center (600 Somerset Avenue, Windber, PA 15963).
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Helping our troops:
If you wish to assist our military and their families, consider Operation Helmet, or Fisher House. Sponsoring a deployed service member at TroopCarePackage.com can provide letters or care packages that make a real difference in a military person's life. To assist the animal companions of our deployed military, information is available here. Also, you could visit:
When our veterans come back home, they need jobs. Look at the programs of Hire Heroes USA and Welcome Back Veterans to see if you can help out. The new KINship Project has also been of help to our veterans and other Kossacks In Need.
About the IGTNT series:
"I Got the News Today" is a diary series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifice of our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, SpamNunn, a girl in MI, JeNoCo, Mediaprof, TrueBlueMajority, JanosNation, Proud Mom and Grandma, Ministry of Truth, and CalNM. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for them.
Fallen service members whose names have been released by the US Department of Defense will usually be diaried two days after the official announcement on the DoD website. This allows the IGTNT team to cover each person more fully, but still in a timely manner
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Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.