Page 12 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2017- Online Magazine
P. 12
Major General William
Edgar Murphy A Soldier’s Soldier
by Tom Couture
others above his own. General
Murphy expressed that being
in the National Guard, or in
the Army Reserve, is a totally
volunteer experience. A man
or woman gives his or her time
on weekends and at other times
to train, so they can be called
out to active duty if necessary, relationships he had built with
to protect and preserve our senators and congressmen, and
freedom. They choose to give his quiet, but influential manner
themselves for us, so he chose saw the project through. When
to place the reservists and their
n the short time I have known needs above himself. it was completed in 1995, the
General Murphy, I would Texas House and Senate issued
Idescribe him as a quietly One of General Murphy’s a Concurrent Resolution, signed
powerful man, whose influence enduring accomplishments is by the President of the Senate,
upon those around him is the construction of the Armed Speaker of the House and the
profound. His career in the U.S. Forces Guard and Reserve Governor, naming the new
Army spanned more than four Center next to the Lubbock Lubbock Armed Forces Guard
decades. He commanded over Preston Smith International and Reserve
15,000 soldiers whom he led in Airport. Prior to the building of Center after
the operation of 327 M-1 tanks, the center, all of the operations General
1,000 other armored vehicles, of the Guard and Reserve here Murphy.
and 100 Apache helicopters. He in Lubbock, were split up into Ann noted
was responsible for the combat four buildings along 4th Street. that he is
readiness of the 49th Armored The construction of the Marsha the only
Division of the Army National Sharp freeway necessitated the living
Guard of Texas. He did so while demolition of the four existing general
caring for his wife Ann and three buildings, and the Guard and to receive
children. At the same time, he Reserve were going to need the honor
operated a very successful farm new headquarters. Unifying the of having
implement and tractor business various divisions under one new a military
here in Lubbock. Besides being roof would obviously result in a facility
influential and capable, the much more efficient operation, named after
retired general is a master at so Gen. Murphy set out to him. Gen
multi-tasking. secure the funds and a location Murphy’s
to construct the new center. personal
Mrs. Murphy revealed that he Eventually, he was able to obtain library of
was often referred to as “the all of the federal funding needed, over 800
soldier’s soldier.” She disclosed giving our local Guardsmen military books is housed in the
that both those who served and Reservists one location center, and regarding the tank
under Edgar, as well as those where they could carry out their that sits outside, he says, “That
under whom he served, were monthly and annual duties and was MY tank.”
constantly in awe of his great training. Securing funds from the
care and concern for others. He government was no small feat, General Murphy, along with
was known for always placing but Edgar’s years of service, the the other generals featured in
the needs and promotion of this issue of Senior Link, has
12 Lubbock Senior Link
