Gov. Nathan Deal has ordered that all flags in Georgia fly at half-staff Friday in honor of U.S. Army Spc. Etienne J. Murphy, who died in a non-tactical vehicle rollover in northern Syria on May 25.
Murphy, 22, was a graduate of South Gwinnett High School, where he was a member of the JROTC. He joined the military immediately after high school, completing infantry training at Fort Benning.
PREVIOUSLY: Soldier from Gwinnett dies in overseas crash
Murphy was an infantryman assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia. He served as an anti-tank gunner after attending the Basic Airborne Course and Ranger Assessment and Selection Program 1. His deployment to northern Syria was his first.
Murphy has been posthumously awarded the Army Commendation Medal. During his service, he also earned the NATO Medal, the Parachutist Badge, the Army Achievement Medal with three oak clusters and the Operation Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with Campaign Star.
Murphy was born in Boston and grew up largely in Brockton, Massachusetts before moving to Snellville as a teenager. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Martha Murphy, with whom he had two sons, a 2-year-old and a 4-month-old. He is also survived by his parents and brothers, according to an obituary.
Learn more about Spc. Murphy:
About the Author
