Miles Gray Murphy

Miles Gray Murphy Sr. (USAF Lt. Col. Ret.) departed this earth on the 12th of May, 2019. He died in his home at The Georgian Lakeside after several months of decline. Miles was born to Mial Gray Murphy Jr. and Pearl Alfonzo Carmical on September 22, 1924 in Cabot, Arkansas.

Miles lived his formative years were Eldorado, Sylvan Hills and Cabot, Arkansas and graduated from Catholic High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. He loved to fly and took lessons at Central Flying Service in Little Rock. Within a couple of years Miles joined the US Army Air and flew B-25 Mitchell Bombers during World War II. He spent WWII stateside as an instructor pilot.

During the Korean Conflict, Miles, then in the US Air Force was stationed in Japan and flew KB-29 Tankers in combat support over the Sea of Japan. These were some of the first efforts of the USAF in mid-air refueling.

After Korea, Miles flew Cold War missions in the B-47 Stratojet and the B52 Stratofortress. His was a command pilot, Combat Evaluation Group Commander, commander of the 393rd Bomb squadron of B52s. He flew many alert missions to “fail safe” points off the coast of the USSR, without knowing until arriving on station whether “go codes” would send him toward a nuclear mission against Russian targets.

During the Vietnam War, Col. Murphy commanded the 393rd Bomb Squadron in combat during three tours out of Guam and Okinawa. Prior to retirement, he commanded the first operational squadron of the FB111B Aardvark, a 1500+ mph, swing wing bomber that was also nuclear capable.

After a highly decorated 30-year career in USAF, Lt. Col. Murphy enjoyed a 20-year career in Shreveport real estate and served for 5 years as the oldest auxiliary policeman in Shreveport history beginning at age 80.

Miles is survived by his former wife and mother of his children Johnice Hope Murphy, his two living sons, Miles Gray Murphy Jr., and Michael Shawn Murphy, their wives, Marta Perez Murphy, Catherine Ann Murphy and their children. His legacy includes grandchildren Shannon DeShields Morris, Shawn Patrick Murphy, Lauren Murphy Allen, Megan Elizabeth Murphy, Mallory Alyssa Murphy, Miles Gray Murphy VI and Austin Shawn Murphy. Great grandchildren include Sarah Riley Morris, McKenna DeShields Morris, Magnus James Morgan, Dylan Grace Murphy, Emerson Ann Murphy, Chandler Gray Allen and Atlas Azalea Morgan.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his son, John Patrick Murphy; his wife, Doris “Montez” (Osborne) Murphy; and his sister, Erma Gleda Petty.

Per his request, a graveside service for family members will be held at Centuries Memorial Cemetery in Shreveport, Louisiana at 10 AM on Wednesday, the 22nd of May 2019. Full military honors will be