Name: Robert (Bob) M. Murphy
Rank: Colonel (retired)
Unit: Company A, 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
Role: Pathfinder
Bob Murphy (ASN 11090385), born on 07-07-1925, son of Joseph and Anna Murphy. He
joined the army on October 1st, 1942 at the age of 17 from Massachusetts. He volunteerd
for the paratroopers in 1943. He was assigned to company A of the 505th Parachute
Infantry Regiment. Still at the age of 17 he landed at May 10, 1943 in Casablanca, Africa
with the 82nd Airborne Division. He missed the Sicily jump because of a severe case of
malaria. He jumped at October 1, 1943 with the 505th PIR at Paestum, Salerno. After the
Salerno jump Bob volunteerd for Pathfinderschool. He was part of the first official school of
pathfinders at Conise, Sicily in November 1943. After completing Pathfinderschool he left
Italy and went to Ireland and then England.
Rank: Colonel (retired)
Unit: Company A, 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
Role: Pathfinder
Bob Murphy (ASN 11090385), born on 07-
for the paratroopers in 1943. He was assigned to company A of the 505th Parachute
Infantry Regiment. Still at the age of 17 he landed at May 10, 1943 in Casablanca, Africa
with the 82nd Airborne Division. He missed the Sicily jump because of a severe case of
malaria. He jumped at October 1, 1943 with the 505th PIR at Paestum, Salerno. After the
Salerno jump Bob volunteerd for Pathfinderschool. He was part of the first official school of
pathfinders at Conise, Sicily in November 1943. After completing Pathfinderschool he left
Italy and went to Ireland and then England.
His story: Col Robert M Murphy
On June 6, 1944 Bob jumped as a pathinder/radio-operator in
Normandy, France. After his pathfinder duties he rejoined A-505
PIR and was involved in the battle at La Fiere bridge.
On September 17, 1944 Bob jumped at Groesbeek, the
Netherlands for Operation Market Garden. He was involved in the
fight of Mook and Plasmolen and the Nijmegen Bridge. During the
Battle of the Bulge he suffered a relapse of malaria. Among the
medals Bob earned are 3 Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star.
After the war he finished High-School and attended Law School.
Unfortunately Bob passed away October 3rd, 2008.
On September 17, 1944 Bob jumped at Groesbeek, the
Netherlands for Operation Market Garden. He was involved in the
fight of Mook and Plasmolen and the Nijmegen Bridge. During the
Battle of the Bulge he suffered a relapse of malaria. Among the
medals Bob earned are 3 Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star.
After the war he finished High-
Unfortunately Bob passed away October 3rd, 2008.
Photo: Bob Murphy’s book
Bob Murphy wrote a book about the actions of the 82nd Airborne Division in the Sainte-Mère-Église - Chef-du-pont
perimeter. In the book, Bob recounts the actions around the La Fiere bridge, where the 82nd Airborne Division saw its
toughest battle in the Normandy campaign. Many first person testimonies and eye witness accounts are featured in the
book. A must read!
toughest battle in the Normandy campaign. Many first person testimonies and eye witness accounts are featured in the
book. A must read!