Vietnam Veteran: 'I'm Glad I Went'

On Friday, Bill Murphy got the official welcome home that has eluded him for the past 40 years.

"Frankly, too many of our Vietnam Veterans were never welcomed home," said U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte. "I want to thank you for your service. But I also want to say welcome home."

Murphy was flanked by Ayotte and NH Army National Guard Col. Bryan Clements, who was holding a small display case with the medals Murphy had earned while serving his country.

"It was a different time," Murphy said quietly.

That was then; this is now.

Murphy, of Nashua, was a Sgt. 1st Class with the U.S. Army’s 2nd Battalion 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. He served on active duty in Vietnam from 1970 – 1972 and continued to serve in the Army Reserve until 1985.

He was drafted at the age of 22. After two years in country, Murphy was finished with his deployment. He left the Army, but decided to continue his service as a Reservist for another 10 years.

Looking back at his Vietnam experience, Murphy said he has no regrets, no bitterness over the lack of public support during or after Vietnam, as one who served.

"I certainly am glad I went – now. I didn't want to go, but I did go, and I learned an awful lot about myself," Murphy said. "And I think it made me a better person." [See video uploaded here for more on Murphy's experience.]

He was accompanied Friday to the medal ceremony at Ayotte's Manchester office by his wife, Lynn Stermansky, his mother-in-law, Betty Stermansky, and one of his sons, Trevor Murphy. Trevor's twin, Brett, was away at school.

Also in attendance, fellow Vietnam veteran Tom Scanlon, of Salem.

"I heard about it this morning, on NHPR, and just wanted to be here, Scanlon said, holding his dog, Commander Cody, in his arms.

Murphy now works for BAE systems, as a quality engineer for missile sensors.

On Aug. 23 he was awarded: the Soldiers Medal; a Bronze Star; an Air Medal; a US Army Reserve Achievement Medal; a National Defense Vietnam Campaign Medal; and a Combat Infantry Badge.

"I may have received one or two of these medals, but they got lost in a move," Murphy said.

He wants to pass them on to his sons.

"I see some good guys every two years now that I attend the reunions. They are the ones that encouraged me to request the medals. It feels good to have them, after all these years," Murphy said