WIA, Corpsman Up!

About the Book

A face on the Action Reports of WIAs. 17 Marines and one Corpsman tell their stories. It starts with a brief of their childhood, why they wanted to go in the Marine Corps or Navy, first day of boot camp, their training and first combat. Then, the events that led up to their being wounded followed by their recuperation and their life after military service.

The last story is from a Navy Nurse who served aboard the hospital ship, USS Repose in the waters of Vietnam. She tells her impressions of what war does to our young fighting men and how that experience shaped her future.

About the Author

Frank Murphy was born in Springfield, Massachusetts in June of 1938. He was raised and lived in West Springfield, Massachusetts until he joined the Marine Corps on his 17th birthday in June of 1955. His nine years in the Corps took him to such exotic places as Japan, Okinawa, Korea, Taiwan, The Philippines, Guam, Hawaii, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba and at sea in several ships.

Frank returned to New England and worked for Pratt and Whitney's overhaul and repair facility in Southington, Connecticut. He left there after two years and worked at General Dynamics Electric Boat Division in Groton, Connecticut refitting submarines. In December of 1968, Frank started work as a lineman with Southern New England Telephone Company. He transferred to Southern Bell, now Bell South, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida as a lineman in 1970. He moved into the Installation and Repair department, PBX Repair and retired as a Digital Technician in Special Services during the summer of 2000.

Frank attended Fort Lauderdale Business College for three years majoring in management. He dropped out to spend more time with his three young sons, planning to return when the boys were grown up. Frank also took many Bell South courses and attended schools in electronics and associated fields to enhance his work skills in the telecommunication field. He was divorced in 1995 after 27 years of marriage. Frank remarried in 1999 to the former Susan Fischer.

Frank started playing Judo in Japan in 1959. He competed in the All Marine Corps Judo Championships held at Parris Island in 1963. He continued playing and teaching until he was injured in a serious motorcycle accident. He lifted weights, snow skied and ran daily until recently because of trouble with his knees. He also played volleyball and pick-up baseball games. However, he still target shoots.

Frank enjoys tropical landscaping, gardening and growing orchids. Reading and collecting books is another one of his pleasures. When the house is empty, he'll put on some of his favorite classical CDs.

This book is Frank's first published work. He has been interested in writing since a youngster and has written an unpublished novel concerning the drug trade in South Florida. He wrote another unpublished book outlining his experience with a psychologist while going though his divorced.

Frank is a member of the Marine Corps League Detachment Tamarac 755 and has been involved with veteran affairs over the years.