Former Assistant Attorney General from Torrington Named Veteran of the Month

Hartford, CT – State Senator Kevin Witkos (R-8) named Ralph G. Murphy the “Veteran of the Month” this October. Staff Sergeant Murphy served in the Army in WWII. The Torrington resident also served Connecticut as Assistant Attorney General for 23 years.

“Ralph Murphy is an inspiring person who has spent his life working hard to protect others,” said Sen. Witkos. “In naming him ‘Veteran of the Month,’ I want to recognize not only his service to our country, but also his dedication to the people of Connecticut. He is part of our history, and I want to make sure his story, his service and his dedication is always remembered and honored.”

Ralph G. Murphy was born on July 24, 1919. He was drafted into the army during World War II while he was a student at Fordham University. After finishing his final semester of school he reported for service in August 1941 and served until September 1945.

In the army, Murphy worked as an artillery sergeant and participated in sea coast antiaircraft efforts. Murphy became a Staff Sergeant and traveled overseas to Port Darwin, Australia and Milne Bay, New Guinea during the East Indies Campaign, serving alongside the Australian Royal Air Force.

Murphy is the recipient of the WWII Victory Medal and Good Conduct Decoration Medal.

Following the military, Murphy worked for a prestigious law firm on Wall Street in Manhattan while getting his law degree from Fordham University through the GI Bill. He was admitted to the Connecticut Bar on May 19, 1961 and moved to Connecticut to work at Sikorsky Aircraft in their legal/contracts department. In January 1963 he was appointed Assistant Attorney General for the State until his retirement in 1986, while under Joe Lieberman. For many years after that he served as a magistrate in the Judicial Department.

Currently, Murphy resides in Torrington with his wife. The two have been married for over 58 years and have four children: Marianne, Susan, Lillie and Jim.

Murphy’s full story and a video interview can be found on senatorwitkos.com and at the following direct link: http://ctsenrepublic.wpengine.com/2014/09/veteran-of-the-month-staff-sergeant-ralph-murphy/.

Senator Witkos’ “Veteran of the Month” program features the stories of local veterans each month through text and video. Each story highlights the veteran’s unique experiences and acts of service. To nominate a local veteran to be a “Veteran of the Month” please contact Peggy Tibbals at [email protected] or call (860) 240-8884.