Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Charlie Murphy.

After spending time in jail as a teen, Charlie enlisted in the military. He went to each branch and was denied entry due to his criminal record. He approached the Navy last, and when they asked if he had a record, he answered “no.”

Charlie served six years in the Navy as a Boiler Technician.

“I became a man in the Navy,” he said in a PR.com release. “That’s where I got my first apartment, my first marriage, my first bank account, my first car. That was a good experience.”

After his time in the service, he began to grow his career in show business. Charlie was a comedian and is most well known for his contributions on Chappelle’s Show. He was also involved in “The Boondocks,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and the video game “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.”

Charlie also spent time volunteering with VA visiting patients at VA NY Harbor Health Care System.

After a battle with Leukemia, Charlie passed away on April 12, 2017.

We honor his service.


Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much of the information as you can put together with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating for how to create the best submission.

Topics in this story

Leave a comment

The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

9 Comments

  1. Sheldrick Perry May 7, 2017 at 11:19

    Salute to Mr. Charlie Murphy..awesome story first off…Ice T is a veteran also..Army hoo rah vet my self and aspirations of being the next big deal out of chicago as a great actor and comedian…i can relate totally with Charlie..i too become a man..first car apartment wife and child all in 2 years after graduating late out of high school due…behavior issues and slack studies regime….Rest in Peace Big brother..i know Eddie took it hard…

  2. Rodney May 1, 2017 at 10:59

    RIP Sir and thank you for serving your country. I thank you even more for providing my point. Just because someone makes a mistake. We don’t need to hold it against them for life.

  3. Anthony C. Moody April 22, 2017 at 11:29

    May God Bless Mr. Murphy Family, and may his memory live on. Thank you, Mr. Murphy, for your service.

  4. Joel Griffin April 22, 2017 at 11:03

    RIP Charlie. Had no idea he was a military veteran. As a machinist mate I know firsthand the boiler technician job. Work hard play hard. RIP Mr. Murphy. You will be missed by all. Condolences to the Murphy Family.

  5. Philippe Lascaze April 22, 2017 at 08:41

    Wow… I never knew Mr. Murphy was a veteran. Thank you for serving. May you Rest In Peace. Thank you to your family too. I’m happy to know that he got a chance through the navy for 6 years. It’s a shame he had to lie about his criminal past. But did what he needed to do, and he got to live the dream of serving his country.

  6. Kurtis Cardwell April 21, 2017 at 18:26

    That next to last line caught me by surprise. Sad. Rest in peace sir.

  7. Eddie Patterson April 21, 2017 at 15:22

    RIP brother Charlie Murphy!
    May the Good Lord Bless you and God bless you to Eddie Murphy.

  8. Ronnie Williams April 21, 2017 at 12:57

    Rest in peace Mr. Charlie Murphy.

  9. Michael Kay April 21, 2017 at 12:18

    Thank you for your insight into Charlie Murphy and not focusing on his more famous brother.

Comments are closed.

More Stories