A Marine Hero

Staff Sergeant Jerod Murphy earned the Thomas V. Fredian Community Service Award for helping to rescue 200 in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina struck. He is with the 4th Amphibious Assault Battalion based in Gulfport. He and his team of 4 others rescued 130 people on Biloxi's Point Cadet hours after Katrina had subsided. The next day, 70 were rescued from Pass Christian's Henderson Point.Article: SunHerald

Murphy was also the first from Mississippi to receive the Purple Heart after he was wounded in Iraq. He was shot in the elbow near the town of el Sharta in March of 2003.

He is also very active in Long Beach, coaching soccer, football, and Marine Corp martial arts.

Mississippians love our military. They help so much down here not just after hurricanes. A big majority participate in community service activities. But the most recognition they gain is after the hurricanes. Thank you Staff Sergeant Murphy and all the others who have helped Mississippi recover.