Texas Military Forces
Hall of Honor

William E. Murphy

General William E. Murphy began his military career by enlisting in the 132nd Field Artillery Battalion. 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard in 1953. He attended the Texas National Guard Academy as a member of Officer Candidate School, class number 2, and was commissioned in August of 1960. Genera! Murphy attended Texas Tech University and received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Mechanized Agriculture in 1971. His military education includes the Field Artillery Basic Officers Course in 1964, Infantry Officer Advanced Course in 1973, and the Command and General Staff Officer Course in 1981.
General Murphy was assigned as Commander of Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery in 1965. He assumed command of Company A, 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 142nd Infantry in 1968. From 1970 to 1972, General Murphy served as Liaison Officer and Assistant Operations Officer in the Arrowhead Emergency Operations Headquarters. In 1979, he assumed command of the 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 142" Infantry where he served until 1982. General Murphy assumed command of the Division Support Command, 49th Armored Division, in 1984 and was reassigned as the Commander of 2nd Brigade, 49th Armored Division in 1985. In February of 1989, he was promoted to Brigadier General and assigned as the Assistant Division Commander for Maneuver, 49th Armored Division.

Having commanded at every level, after nearly 40 years of distinguished service, General Murphy assumed command of the 49th Armored Division on August 24th 1992. He was federally recognized as a Major General by the United States Senate on September 28th, 1994 and promoted to Major General on October 22nd, 1994.

General Murphy's decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon and the Expert Infantry Badge. Also the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal, Texas Outstanding Service Medal, Texas Medal of Merit, The Adjutant General's Individual Award and the Texas Faithful Service Medal. General Murphy's leadership abilities have been recognized by each of the Combat Arms as he has been awarded the Infantry's "Order of Saint Maurice", the Armor's "Order I of Saint George" and the Field Artillery's "Order of Saint Barbara". General Murphy was awarded a Doctor of Arts and Science and inducted into the OCS Hall of Fame at the Texas Military Academy in 1994.

In 1995, the Texas House and Senate issued a Concurrent Resolution, signed by the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House and the Governor, naming the new Lubbock Armed Forces Guard and Reserve Center after General Murphy.

On September 25th, 1996, after 43 years of remarkable service to his state and nation, General Murphy retired from the Texas National Guard. Upon his retirement, General Murphy was promoted to Brevet Lieutenant General by the Governor of Texas.

General Murphy's civic affiliations include The Retired Officers Association, Association of the United States Army, Texas Aviation and Heritage Foundation, United States Armor Association, National Guard Association of Texas, Lubbock Scottish Rite and the National Farm Equipment Dealers Association. General Murphy and his wife Ann live in Lubbock. They have two sons, one daughter and five grandchildren.
 

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