FORT KNOX, Ky. –
An Army guidance counselor for the Indianapolis Military Entrance Processing Station was killed in a motorcycle accident in Knox, Indiana, Aug. 14.
Master Sgt. Melissa Murphy, 38, served as a member of the Indianapolis Recruiting Battalion. She has a long history with U.S. Army Recruiting Command, having previously served as a counselor in the Recruiting Operations Center at the USAREC headquarters at Fort Knox, as a station commander at the Port St. Lucie and Schenectady recruiting stations, and as a recruiting noncommissioned officer at the Madison West Recruiting Station.
"Master Sgt. Murphy changed the lives of countless American men and women as they began their journey in the U.S. Army," said Lt. Col. James Copp, Indianapolis Battalion commander. "Her energy and friendship will be greatly missed by her teammates and the entire Indianapolis Recruiting Battalion. Melissa also impacted the lives of her fellow Soldiers, always inspiring everyone she came in contact with to find the good in others and focus on the positives. She was truly an inspirational leader and will be greatly missed."
Murphy joined the Army after graduating from high school and attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. She earned her associate's degree in business administration and management from Post University and was working on her bachelor's degree.
She was a daughter, a mother, and a beloved community volunteer, having spent many hours with VFW Post 6904 in Fortville, Indiana.
A memorial service for Murphy will be held in Snyder, Oklahoma, at the Snyder Baptist Church Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. She will be interred at the Mountain Park Cemetery immediately following the service.