Lyle M. Murphy
Date of Birth: September 16, 1915
Place of Birth: Kansas
Father and Mother’s Names: Cecil V. (or Vern C.) and Ethel (Moyer) Murphy
Date Entered Service: January 12, 1942 - at Fort Riley, Kansas.
Service Branch: Army
Service Number: 0354722
Rank: Captain
Division/Company/Unit info: 3rd Battalion, 503 Parachute Infantry Regiment.
Awards and Commendations: Purple Heart and Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Riley Connection: The 1920 U.S. Census shows the Murphy family living in Wildcat Township. The 1930 U.S. Census shows the Murphys living in Manhattan, possibly Kearney St. Lyle attended K-Sate, where he graduated in 1937.
Date of Death (and Age): April 17, 1945 (age 29)
Place of Death: Philippines
Grave Location: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines.
Bio: Lyle grew up in Manhattan, attended Manhattan High School, and went on to attend Kansas State College, where he was a horticulture major, served as the senior class president, was a member of the Apple Judging Team, and was a member of ROTC. Lyle joined the Army, where he was assigned to the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. The 503rd was involved in the recapture of Corregidor, which is an island in Manila Bay and which the Japanese had held since 1942. The paratroopers and other infantrymen faced heavy opposition from entrenched Japanese forces, but after several days of fighting, Allied forces prevailed and took over control of the island. After Corregidor, the 503rd was planning another combat jump to fight on Negros Island, but the jump was canceled, and the landing was made amphibiously. Lyle was killed by mortar fire on Negros Island. Lyle Murphy’s name is on a sundial on the KSU campus, which commemorates horticulture students killed in World War II.
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