Stephen “Tyler” Murphy, July 6, 2022, age 40, Born in Wiesbaden, Germany, Tyler was a 2000 graduate of Green Valley High School in Henderson, Nevada. He enlisted in the Navy in March 2004 and attended Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes in Illinois.
Upon completion of “A” School, Tyler reported to Basic Crewman Selection (BCS) in Coronado, CA. He graduated with class 51 and received orders to Special Boat Team Twenty (SBT 20), where he served from September 2005 through January 2010. At SBT 20, Tyler took the duties of Chief Engineer, Detachment Navigator, Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) Communications Representative, and Human Performance Functional Training Instructor. He developed a strong reputation and was promoted from Special Warfare Boat Operator First Class over the course of two deployments with SBT 20.
In 2010, Tyler left active duty to pursue a degree at The Ohio State University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Security and Intelligence with a focus on nuclear weapons and Arabic in 2012. During this period, Tyler took an active mentorship role within the Men’s Lacrosse Team. He taught leadership principles to the team captains and helped acclimate younger players to Buckeye culture and the student-athlete lifestyle.
While at school, Tyler affiliated with the Navy Reserve and was assigned to SWCC Unit EIGHTEEN, a reserve unit under SEAL Team EIGHTEEN. In 2012, Tyler was promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. From April 2021 to April 2022, SBC Murphy mobilized with Special Boat Team TWENTY and deployed to Bahrain.
While not active with NSW, Tyler served and deployed in support of discreet interagency operational units and completed numerous tours of hazardous duty in Africa and Afghanistan. His efforts working with the interagency earned him an Operations Excellence award.
Tyler loved golf, beach athletics, hiking, and spending time with close friends. He excelled as a CrossFit coach, youth mentor, church volunteer, placement of our veterans flags at Arlington National Cemetery, and continued leader and friend to the Ohio State Lacrosse Program.
Tyler’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2). His significant Service and Campaign awards include the Global War on Terrorism Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal.
Tyler leaves his beloved parents, Stephen & Eileen (Welch) Murphy of Morrisville, N.C. and his sister, Kaitlyn Cutroni of N.C. and several aunts and uncles.
Funeral home visiting hours will be held at the O’Keefe Wade Funeral Home, 70 Washington St., Taunton, MA 02780 on Thursday from 5-7pm. Funeral from the O’Keefe Wade Funeral Home on Friday at 9:45am. with a service held at First Congregational Church, 785 South Main St., Raynham, MA 02767 at 11am. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery in Taunton. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to either the Navy Seal Foundation, www.navysealfoundation.org/request-support or to the Wounded Warriors, www.woundedwarriorproject.org Visit our website www.okeefewade.com to sign the online guestbook, obituaries & directions