Date: 4/7/2007
Rank: Commander
Branch: U.S. Navy
Operation: Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commander Philip A. Murphy-Sweet, 42, of Caldwell, Idaho was killed April 7, 2007 as the result of injuries received by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the Rusafa District of Baghdad, Iraq. He was a U.S. Naval Supply Officer stationed at the Naval Inventory Control Point Mechanicsburg, PA. Phil was a nineteen year veteran with the US Navy starting his career as a Hospital Corpsman.
Later, he graduated from the University of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in communications and also received his commission as a Naval Officer through ROTC. Phil was a Navy Veteran of the Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Phil’s immense love was evident in the life he shared with his wife Cheryl, and their three children, Olivia, Seth, and Lauren. He made funny faces at his younger daughter, Lauren, from work via a Webcam. He asked his son, Seth, to keep his dad up to date on the latest gadgets, and he discussed the trials of middle school life with his daughter Olivia. “He led a balanced life. He was one of those rare individuals who could take on the most challenging assignments and still maintain his personal life and his family as the top priority in his life,” said Rear Adm. Michael S. Roesner.”Phil was a great guy. He gave everything 110 percent,” said Dr. Mark Michaud, a family friend. “He was a great naval officer, a great father, and had so many plans for the future. I think Phil’s sense of humor, and the way he looked at life, is what I’m going to remember and take away with this.” Phil’s compassion and caring drew people from all walks of life to him. Early on Phil was drawn to the Catholic Church and it was evident in his various leadership roles he held with the Naval Chaplain’s Office during his career. His faith inspired him to be the husband and father he was. Phil was a source of inspiration and strength to his family and a strong leader to those who knew and worked with him.
In addition to his wife and children, Phil is survived by his father, Richard Murphy-Sweet; his mother Mary Beaver; two sisters, Anona Gonelli and Elizabeth Smith; and two brothers Arthur Murphy-Sweet and Michael Murphy-Sweet.