About the Program
Rep. John Murtha (DPennsylvania) died on February 8th, 2010. Mr. Murtha spoke at the Applied Research Lab on the campus of Penn State University in 2003. In this event, Representative Murtha talked about his experiences with military intelligence, beginning with his service as a Marine intelligence officer in 1966 in Vietnam. He also discussed his role in the Phillipines when he was sent there by President Reagan to observe the election process that led to the end of the Marcos dictatorship. He recalled his visits to Panama, Bosnia, Somalia, and Pakistan during various political crises and also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Applied Research Lab, where this event was held, is a contractor for the Department of Defense.
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.
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