MIDDLEBURG – Two area crossfit gyms; Black Fin in Orange Park and Middleburg Strength and Crossfit both hosted Memorial Day “Murph Challenges” in recognition of former Navy SEAL LT. Michael P. Murphy who was officer-in-charge of a four-man SEAL element in support of Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan in 2005.

A fierce gun battle ensued on the steep face of the mountain between the SEALs and a much larger enemy force. Despite the intensity of the firefight and suffering grave gunshot wounds himself, Murphy is credited with risking his own life to save the lives of his teammates. Murphy, intent on making contact with headquarters, but realizing this would be impossible in the extreme terrain where they were fighting, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own life moved into the open, where he could gain a better position to transmit a call to get help for his men.

Moving away from the protective mountain rocks, he knowingly exposed himself to increased enemy gunfire. This deliberate and heroic act deprived him of cover and made him a target for the enemy. While continuing to be fired upon, Murphy made contact with the SOF Quick Reaction Force at Bagram Air Base and requested assistance. He calmly provided his unit’s location and the size of the enemy force while requesting immediate support for his team. At one point, he was shot in the back causing him to drop the transmitter. Murphy picked it back up, completed the call and continued firing at the enemy who was closing in. Severely wounded, LT. Murphy returned to his cover position with his men and continued the battle.

LT. Murphy fought on, allowing one member of his team (Marcus Luttrell) to escape, before he was killed. For his selfless actions, LT. Michael Murphy was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on October 27, 2007. We honor his sacrifice and memory through The Murph Challenge.

Subsequently, a movie and book titled “The Lone Survivor” documented LT. Murphy’s heroics.

The Murph Challenge is a workout that LT. Murphy devised for himself and consists of a one mile run, 100 pullups, 200 pushups, 300 squats and a second one mile; all done with a 20 vest or body armor.

Proceeds from the Murph Challenge go to support the LT. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation which to date has awarded 27 education scholarships.