Inexpensive Estate Pickup From an Interesting Soldier

[tfhiii]

Hello everyone,

 

I believe that this is a recognition plaque that was presented to Colonel Paul J. B. Murphy during the Vietnam War. It likely came from the estate of his wife (Donna) who passed away in 2017. I have not found a great deal of information about Colonel Murphy, but there is an interesting article about him in the following publication:

 

 

Vol. 35. Staunton Military Academy, Kable Station, Staunton, Virginia, Friday, December 14, 1951. N5

“Colonel Paul Col. Murphy Speaks Before Assembly of Cadets”

 

[While station in China in 1944]Murphy consulted a Chinese Harvard graduate by the name of Dr. Chin Fen about the problem (manufacturing fuel due to shortage). Dr. Chin told Col. Murphy that a suitable truck fuel could be made by re-distilling rice wine. Col. Murphy had a distilling plant set up at Chungking. The wine was collected from Chinese farmers and carried on the backs of coolies to Chungking. At the close of the war, ten million gallons of this fuel had been manufactured, and seventy-five per cent of all ground vehicles were operating on this fuel. For this operation, Col. Murphy was awarded the Legion of Merit, our fourth highest decoration at that time.

 

Besides the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star, Col. Murphy holds three very remarkable decorations. The first is the Army and Navy Gold Medal for superior command. He holds the Chinese Yun Hui, or Cloud Banner. Third, he was awarded the Pao Ting, or the Order of the Sacred Incense Burner. China's highest award other than that given to reigning monarchs or heads of other nations. In its five thousand years of existence, the two hundred and fifty-ninth Pao Ting was awarded to Col. Murphy.

 

Any additional information about Colonel Murphy's service would be appreciated.

 

Tom

 

 

 

 

 

 

[hc8604]

Found the article and it was an good read to know about his time in China and to help the Nationalist after the war.

"His last assignment was that of Staff Engineer of the U. S. Military Advisor Group to China, whose mission was to train the Chinese Nationalist Armies. The function of this mission was prevented by our State Department, which has continually blocked aid to Nationalist China. His deepest regret has always been the complete dearth of accurate information supplied to the American people about the situation in the Far East."

Too bad for him the State department were filled with comeritern agents and telling the truth couldn't compare to the damage caused by Stilwell during WWII.

East.