NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Navy has commissioned the USS Michael Murphy, a new warship named for a Navy SEAL from New York who died in Afghanistan at age 29.
Nearly 300 sailors charged up a ramp in a Saturday ceremony while a band played "Anchors Away" as the destroyer sprang to life in New York Harbor.
Murphy, a Navy lieutenant from Patchogue (PATCH-og), was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during a 2005 ambush. With his team surrounded, Murphy risked exposure to enemy fire so he could radio a base for help. The helicopter that rushed to the rescue was shot down, killing 16 sailors and soldiers. Murphy died on the battlefield. Only one man in his squad survived.
The $1.1 billion warship is to be based in Hawaii.
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