Original United States Military Academy at West Point Bachelor of Science diploma issued June 4, 1957 to John Eugene Murphy of New York, USMA Class of 1957, Cullum No. 21330.
John Eugene “Jack” Murphy went on to a notable U.S. Army career. After West Point he completed Infantry, Airborne and Ranger training and served overseas in Germany and with the 187th Airborne during the Lebanon deployment. Following a training accident in which he lost his left eye, Murphy remained in the Army and later transferred to the Quartermaster Corps.
Murphy served as Chief of the Air Delivery Branch at the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee and is credited in his West Point memorial biography with co-developing the Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System (LAPES).
In 1964–65 he served in Vietnam as S-4 of the 5th Special Forces Group, responsible for logistics support to Special Forces units throughout Vietnam. His documented decorations from that tour included the Bronze Star Medal and Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. He later earned a master’s degree in petroleum engineering, served as Joint Area Petroleum Officer Europe, and medically retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1969.
Murphy later lived in Denver, Colorado and served as president of the West Point Society of Denver from 1985–1993. He died in 2013 and is buried at West Point Cemetery.
The diploma retains its elaborate engraved West Point imagery including the eagle and USMA shield, flags, military arms and equipment, and allegorical scenes. Signed by West Point officials of the period.
Framed overall size approximately 25 x 19 inches.
Condition shows age-related toning, scattered spotting/staining, waviness and creasing to the diploma, with wrinkling/wear to the surrounding fabric presentation and frame. Please review all photographs closely for condition and presentation.
A documented original USMA Class of 1957 diploma associated with a career Army officer, Vietnam veteran and 5th Special Forces Group staff officer.
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