Mainer Receives USMC Silver Star Following Assistance from Senator Collins

Washington, D.C. - Former USMC Sergeant Allen A. Murphy of Nashville Plantation, Maine, was awarded a Silver Star Medal following assistance provided by U.S. Senator Susan Collins. The Department of Defense had previously denied this medal, but Sergeant Murphy acquired new information to help reverse this decision. Senator Collins forwarded the documentation to General James Amos, the Commandant of the Marine Corps at the time, and requested a review of Sergeant Murphy’s application.

“I was delighted to assist Allen with receiving the Silver Star, a distinction he earned through his heroic actions in the Vietnam War,” said Senator Collins. “The Silver Star is one of the highest military combat decorations that can be awarded to a member of the armed forces. The courage and gallantry Allen displayed while rescuing his fellow Marine made him highly deserving of this distinction.”

On October 24, 1965, Sergeant Murphy’s platoon was ambushed and pinned down by enemy fire while crossing the Song Yen River. Seeing a wounded Marine lying on an exposed sandbar, Sergeant Murphy directed return fire and exposed himself to enemy fire in order to reach his fellow Marine and carry him 35 yards to safety.

The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces. Sergeant Murphy has previously earned the Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Gallantry Cross Color, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.