Veterans Affairs names medical center for Korean War hero

Published June 10, 2008
By Sonja Brown
Veterans Affairs Public Affairs Officer

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico -- The Department of Veterans Affairs and the New Mexico VA Health Care System re-named the Albuquerque VA Medical Center to the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center, June 7.

Mr. Murphy, former member of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve, was the 39th Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Korea. He was decorated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in a White House ceremony on Oct. 27, 1953.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Captain Murphy was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars and the United Nations Service Medal.

In addition to hearing special remarks from Mr. Murphy's wife and children, immediately following the ceremony a statue in Mr. Murphy's likeness was unveiled. It was created by sculptor Reynaldo Rivera and was presented courtesy of the Perot Foundation.