About the Program
Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) signed books at Penn State University in April of 2003. Representative Murtha died on February 8, 2010.
Rep. John Murtha
Representative John Murtha (D-PA) died on February 8, 2010. He was the first Vietnam veteran elected to congress. He was elected in 1974 and had been a repesentative from the 12th district of Pennsylvania since then. He attended Washington & Jefferson College, and served in the marines from 1952 until 1954. He joined the Marine Corps. Reserve after ending his active service, and was promoted to Major by 1966. John Murtha reenlisted in the Marine corps. At age 33 and served as an intelligence officer in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. He was wounded twice and earned the Bronze Star, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and 2 Purple Hearts. Representative Murtha lived in Johnstown, Pennsylvania with his wife of 51 years, Joyce.