Northport VA Medical Center Renamed to Honor Medal of Honor Recipient LT Michael P. Murphy

This bill is straightforward: it officially renames the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Northport, New York. Once enacted, the facility will be known as the Navy (SEAL) Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy VA Medical Center.

The Name Change and the Hero Behind It

This isn't just a simple name change; it's a permanent memorial rooted in an incredible story of sacrifice. The bill’s findings section dedicates significant space to detailing the actions of Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, a Long Island native. On June 28, 2005, during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan, Murphy’s small SEAL team was engaged in a massive firefight. Though wounded, Murphy intentionally moved into open ground—exposing himself to direct enemy fire—to get a clear signal to call for backup. He stayed on the line, relaying his team’s location until he was fatally wounded. This act of ultimate sacrifice earned him the Medal of Honor, the first for the Navy since Vietnam and the first for the war in Afghanistan.

What This Means for the VA and the Community

For the VA system, Section 2 of the bill mandates that this change is official. Every government document, map, regulation, or record that previously referenced the Northport VA Medical Center must now be updated to reflect the new name. This is an administrative adjustment, but it ensures that the honor is permanent and legally binding. For the local community and the veterans who use the facility, the impact is less about paperwork and more about recognition. Naming the facility after LT Murphy, who grew up just ten miles away, connects the place of care directly to a local hero who represents the highest ideals of service.

More Than a Sign on a Building

The bill notes that this facility naming is intended to serve as a lasting reminder of service and sacrifice for future generations. For a veteran receiving care or a family member visiting the facility, seeing the name of a Medal of Honor recipient on the building serves as a constant, tangible link to the sacrifices made for their freedom. It’s a way to ensure that the legacy—which includes the annual “Murph workout” and a foundation that provides over 43 scholarships—remains visible and relevant right where it started. This bill is a pure act of commemoration, making sure that a hero’s name is permanently attached to a place dedicated to serving those who served.