With four Navy SEALs, an unknown number of enemies, gunfire echoing throughout the Hindu Kush mountain range; one man put his life on the line for the good of his team. Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) honored this man, Lt. Michael Murphy, by participating in the Murph Challenge, May 4.

The Murph Challenge is an exercise created by Murphy that is now completed annually around Memorial Day weekend by those who wish to honor his sacrifice. Abraham Lincoln's challenge was organized by the ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) division and Fit Boss, Shawn Ellison, and according to MWR, more than 30 Sailors from across the ship participated in this event over the course of the day.

"The difficulty of this exercise depends on each individual," said Ellison. "What matters is that people complete it. This man died for his country, so the least we can do to honor him is this workout."

A Murph workout consists of running one mile, followed by 100 pullups, 200 pushups and 300 squats followed by another one mile run, traditionally done while wearing a 20-pound weight vest or body armor.

"It's an awesome way to honor a legend," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Derek Robinson. "It is such an intense workout, and I'm happy to be a part of it. Events like these remind us to never forget those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country."

Murphy received the Medal of Honor in 2007 from former President George W. Bush, for his role in Operation Red Wings that took place June 27-28, 2005. He was part of a four-man Navy SEAL team, east of Asadabad in the Hindu Kush of Afghanistan, conducting a reconnaissance mission on Ahmad Shah. Shah controlled a group of Taliban-affiliated insurgents known as the "Mountain Tigers".

The mission was compromised, forcing Murphy and his team deep into a ravine. Vastly out-numbered and out-positioned, Murphy risked his life by going out into the open to place a distress call. He made contact with the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Quick Reaction Force at Bagram Air Base and requested assistance but was shot in the process. He completed the call and returned to cover as the battle continued.

Three helicopters were sent in response to the distress call to extract the four wounded SEALS. Two heavily-armored attack helicopters escorted an MH-47 Chinook helicopters carrying eight Navy SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers. The crew aboard the MH-47 decided to go ahead of the escort helicopters but was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade, killing all 16 men aboard.

By the end of the two-hour battle, Murphy and two others in his team had been killed. The one surviving SEAL, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SEAL) Marcus Luttrell, eventually made it to safety. Murphy's act of courage and bravery in the face of death enabled the rescue of Luttrell and the recovery of the bodies of Murphy and the rest of his team.

The Department of the Navy commissioned USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) October 6, 2012 in honor of his heroic efforts.

"Heroes like Michael Murphy make people want to be a part of our Navy," said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Mallory Markowski. "He was the perfect example of the Navy's core values, and it was an honor to pay my respects to him today."

The Navy will forever remember June 28, 2005 and the heroic efforts and sacrifices of our special operator.

For more information on Lt. (SEAL) Michael Murphy, visit http://www.navy.mil/ah_online/moh/murphy.html


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