Navy Seal Lt. and Congressional Medal of Honor and hero Michael Murphy (1994 Patchogue-Medford graduate) was a member of the National Honor Society, varsity football team, and a summer lifeguard at Lake Ronkonkomo. After graduating from Penn State with degrees in political science and psychology, Michael turned down law school to join the Navy and become a SEAL. Michael was killed in action in Afghanistan on June 27, 2005. Michael Murphy is remembered with the greatest repect and gratitude by his fellow SEALS, the Navy, and the entire nation. On May 7, 2008 what would have been Michael’s 32nd birthday, The Secretary of the Navy paid homage to Michael by naming it’s newest destroyer the USS Michael Murphy.     Michael’s biography can be found on Wikipedia 

A museum exists to honor Michael’s memory; visit: https://murphsealmuseum.org/