Anchors aweigh, son.
The stoic Long Island mom of hero Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy, the posthumous Medal of Honor recipient, yesterday stood on board a new Navy destroyer at Pier 88 on the Hudson River and commissioned the ship named after him.
“Officers and crew of the USS Michael Murphy, man our ship and bring it life!” Mrs. Murphy shouted, giving the first order in the time-honored Navy tradition.
The late SEAL’s dad, Daniel, and brother Jonathan were also on hand for the somber occasion as the 279 officers and crew introduced themselves to Mrs. Murphy by name on board the 509-foot long, 9,200-ton guided-missile destroyer — which is capable of fighting air, surface and underwater battles simultaneously.
The 29-year-old Navy SEAL, who grew up in Patchogue and was a lifeguard, was killed during an ambush in Afghanistan on June 28, 2005.
The young lieutenant was leading Operation Red Wings, an ill-fated reconnaissance mission in the Hindu Kush mountains, when his team was pinned down by 50 Taliban insurgents in a bloody two-hour firefight.
Murphy was shot in the stomach but kept fighting before getting shot again in the chest. Mortally wounded, he left his covered position to find a clear signal so he could radio Bagram Airfield for backup.
Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell, the only one of the four SEALs to survive, described in his book, “Lone Survivor,” how Murphy was hit yet again while he made the call but continued transmitting until he made contact.
He then returned to his covered position and continued firing at the enemy.
Along with Murphy, gunner’s mate Danny Dietz and sonar technician Matthew Axelson perished in the battle — plus 35 enemy Taliban.
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus declared yesterday: “The USS Michael Murphy exemplifies the traits that he showed so greatly: the courage, the selflessness, the protection of teammates and of America.”
“Most of these ships are named after Naval heroes and Michael Murphy sure fits into that profile protecting his SEAL team against overwhelming odds, risking, and ultimately giving, his life.”
Mayor Bloomberg said that it was the events of 9/11 and the loss of a firefighter buddy that spurred Murphy to join up.
“Murphy wore the patch of Engine 53 and Ladder 43, El Barrio’s bravest, on every mission and that same patch was brought back from Afghanistan and is in that firehouse today,” the mayor said. “Just as Lt. Murphy was motivated by our bravest in New York, we’ll be forever inspired by his courage and service.”
Sen. Chuck Schumer noted how even as a kid Murphy showed heroic character. In the 8th grade, he once chased away bullies who were picking on a special-needs student. He did the same in high school when a group of kids taunted a homeless man.
“Michael Murphy represented the best of America and the best of Long Island,” Schumer said. “Throughout his life he showed strength, he showed courage, he showed humility.
“In Afghanistan, the same characteristics he showed as a young boy exhibited themselves on the field of battle.”
Past and present members of Spanish Harlem’s Engine 53 and Ladder 43 were also on hand.
FDNY Capt. Ray Farrell added, “We’re all connected because he was wearing our patch when he was killed in Afghanistan.”