Kenneth Murphy

Kenneth Murphy is a veteran of the Vietnam War who served his country honorably and heroically in the Marine Corps from 1966-1968. At age 17, he was eager to enlist, but his father would not sign the necessary paperwork until Kenneth graduated from high school.

Mr. Murphy started his career in the Marine Corps at basic training on Parris Island. When deployed, he was stationed just outside Da Nang, Vietnam, where he sustained injuries from gunshots in his left leg and left shoulder. He spent the next two and one-half years recovering from his injuries. During a 1970 ceremony at the Brooklyn Naval Yard, Mr. Murphy received a Silver Star for his bravery in combat and two Purple Hearts.

After his recovery, Mr. Murphy moved back to New York, where he belonged to the Brooklyn Disabled Veterans and the Valley Stream Veterans of Foreign Wars. As a member, he helped organize barbecues and other social events for veterans. He also continued to protect his community by serving on the Valley Stream Auxiliary Police Force.

Mr. Murphy currently lives in Valley Stream and is a staple of the community. He has been a beloved bartender at Hempstead Golf and Country Club for more than 27 years, and managed a local softball team for nearly 20. His wife of 27 years, Anna-Maria Murphy, just recently passed. Their son, Kenny, and his wife, Patricia, live in Bellmore with their newborn baby, Joseph Anthony.