United States Air Force
Written by: Michelle Horton
When Gary Murphy was 18 years old, all young men in those days had to register with the Selective Service and were drafted into the military unless they had a deferment. Gary was a full-time college student and received a deferment until he completed his degree. “My family was aware of the situation, and we all knew the inevitable. Because of the draft, getting into the Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard was harder, which greatly reduced the chances of being drafted to serve in Vietnam. However, I was reclassified 1A when I graduated from the University of Arkansas and was able to get a slot in the Air Force through my uncle, who knew the recruiter,” Gary says.
Gary Murphy grew up on the family farm just outside of Malvern, Arkansas. His days were spent feeding cattle, hogs, chickens, and occasionally goats. Gary spent many hours riding his horse, and summertime always meant hauling hay and swimming in the creek afterward.
After high school, Gary attended Southern State College (now Southern Arkansas University) in Magnolia for three years before transferring to the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Agronomy). He officially entered the United States Air Force shortly after graduation and was sent to basic training. During basic training, Gary was offered the opportunity to go to Officers Training School to be a pilot or navigator but declined and remained in the enlisted ranks. “My basic training was at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, in July and August of 1968. It was hot! Drills were rigorous; sometimes, completing those drills successfully depended on the recruit ahead of you. After basic training, I was assigned to Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, for six weeks of Medical Helper training,” Gary says.
Gary declared that everything in basic training was to be done with perfection, whether it was making your bunk, shining your shoes, keeping your razor and your toothbrush clean, or marching. “Did I mention it was hot? I was often sent back to the barracks to change fatigues because of the dried ‘sweat’ rings with the admonishment that no one ate in the chow hall with ‘dirty’ clothes,” Gary mentions. The most difficult part of this training was not being able to keep the letters he had received from his wife, Sandra.
While assigned to Sheppard Air Force Base for Medical Helper Training, Gary had to fill out a “dream” sheet of where he might like to be stationed. Gary explains, “We could list five bases, and I listed Little Rock Air Force Base right in the middle. When I completed this Medical Helper Training and received my orders, I was assigned to Little Rock Air Force Base and was stationed there for the remainder of my time. I was often asked, ‘Who do you know higher up?’ My answer always has been and still is ‘Only One,’ The One and Only.’”
Gary became a Veterinary Technician in the Air Force and was assigned to a Little Rock Air Force Base hospital group. “It was a SAC (Strategic Air Command) base, and the veterinarian’s office was in charge of caring for the 35-40 sentry dogs that guarded the flight line. In addition to this, we conducted clinics for base personnel pets,” Gary says. “In 1970, the Little Rock Air Force Base became a TAC (Tactical Air Command) base, and the sentry dogs were reassigned, leaving only a few Military Police dogs on the base. Our primary assignment was food inspection. Every food that was delivered to the base had to be inspected. This also included inspecting the off-base providers. We also inspected any food service facility located on the base.”
During his four years of service at the Little Rock Air Force Base, Gary lived with his family in a manufactured home about four miles from the base. His son and daughter were born during his years of service. Gary and his wife love to joke that, thanks to the benefits of the Air Force, they only had to pay $30 to have both kids born. Living in a central location also allowed for family visits on the weekends.
Military service does not come without stress. Gary knew in the back of his mind that he could always be reassigned to a less desirable location. Plus, the pay for an airman always kept the couple guarding their finances carefully and frugally. However, Gary’s relationship with God and knowing He is in control carried Gary and his family through the hard times. Gary also found a life-long friend during his four years of service. “I met Tommy R. E. ‘Catfish’ Jones from a place called Oil Trough, Arkansas. Several years later, my profession took me to Newport, Arkansas, where nearby we found “Oil Trough” and became lifelong friends with Tommy and his family. We are blessed to attend church with Tommy’s son, Shawn Jones, and his family at Northern Hills Baptist Church today,” Gary says.
Gary’s four years of service in the Air Force as a Staff Sergeant E-5 ended on June 26, 1972, and the Air Force moved the couple’s home to Fayetteville, Arkansas, so Gary could start graduate school. He earned his master’s degree in Animal Science using the G.I. Bill. After completing his master’s degree, Gary began working at the same university in beef cattle research. “I retired from the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture/Animal Science Department where I was a Senior Research Associate at the Fayetteville campus, and former Resident Director of the University of Arkansas Beef Substation located at Newport, Arkansas,” Gary says.
Today, Gary is 79 years old and a resident of Texarkana, Arkansas. His wife, Sandra, and he have been married for 57 years, a relationship that began when Sandra introduced herself to Gary at a church event. They are the proud parents of Greg Murphy, a Farm Bureau Agent in Texarkana, Arkansas, and Marla Murphy Rowland, a math interventionist in Benton, Louisiana. Their grandchildren are Jackson and Andrew Murphy, Madison Rowland, and Rheagan (Rowland) McMinn. The newest addition to the family is their great-granddaughter, Allyn McMinn.
Gary and Sandra enjoy spending time deer hunting, riding ATVs, traveling in their RV, and attending Southern gospel concerts.
As Gary reflects on his past military service, he clearly understands that it taught him to trust God in every area of his life.
Thank you for serving in the United States Air Force, Gary. We appreciate your sacrifice!