Honor Mission
Lt. Col. Justin Murphy
US Marine Corps
Active Duty
Multi-City, NY - 10/08/2025
Mission applies to the following Region(s):
Region 1, Region 2, Region 3
About the Mission:
US Marine Corps Lt.Col. Justin Murphy died tragically while serving on active duty at the age of 42. Justin was born in Syracuse, NY, and grew up in and around the area, graduating from Red Creek High School in 2002. He attended Norwich University through the NROTC scholarship program and graduated from in 2006 as a member of the Corps of Cadets with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He then commissioned as a United States Marine. He graduated from Quantico with Fox Company in 2007. His first duty station was MCBH Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, where he was a combat engineer officer in 1st Battalion/3rd Marines, aka “Lava Dogs.” 1/3 deployed to Iraq in 2008 and Afghanistan in 2009. Justin twice returned safely with great pride in his platoon’s successfully completed missions and next earned a master’s in engineering management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology. He then moved through his following duty stations at Camp Lejeune, NC; Camp Hansen, Okinawa; the Naval Postgraduate School, CA, where he earned a second master’s; and lastly Quantico, VA, where he was promoted to his final rank of Lieutenant Colonel and worked as a Current Operations Officer of the Integration Branch (MMIB), and Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
The family, as well as the Marine Corps, have requested Patriot Guard Riders to assist in receiving him at the Rochester Airport, and providing an escort to the funeral home in Liverpool (Syracuse), NY. The NYS Troopers will be providing assistance with the escort.
Colonel Murphy's obituary is available for viewing online by clicking here
Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:
10/08/2025 at 11:00am
Staging Location:
Frederick Douglas Greater Rochester International Airport
Gate # 5 (near the fuel tanks)
1500 Brooks Ave.
Rochester, NY
Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
John P McMullen
585-943-4964
Special Information:
Patriot Guard Riders members will meet at Gate 5 at the airport, and the airport staff will shuttle us to the plane for a flag line during the dignified transfer of Colonel Murphy's remains from the plane to the hearse. Once this is done, we will shuttle out to our bikes and prepare to provide a LEO-led escort to Syracuse. Once at the funeral home, we will join Region 3 Patriot Guard Riders members for a flag line and dignified transfer of the Colonel's remains to the funeral home. Region 2 members will then proceed back to Rochester.
Weather looks to be cooler and hopefully dry. Please dress for the conditions and be sure your bike flags are secure for highway travel. If you are not able to ride for the escort please join in at the airport only.
Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?
yes
Second Staging Date and Staging Time:
10/08/2025 at 1:15 pm
Second Location:
Farone & Son Inc. Funeral Home4899 W. Taft Road
Liverpool, NY 13088
Second Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Bruce Dauer
Second Stage - Special Information:
Staging with a flag line for the dignified transfer. Funeral services are tentatively scheduled for Saturday, October 11, 2025. Please watch your email for mission details.Is there a Third Stage to this Mission?
no
Submitted by:
John P McMullen
rs 10/06; MER
