May 1, 2023
ARLINGTON, VA, May 1, 2023—U.S. Army Colonel Jeanne Picariello Murphy was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on April 12 alongside her parents and grandparents, who are also interred there. Colonel Murphy was accorded full military honors, reflecting her 30 years of distinguished service. First Lady of Centenary University and the wife of President Bruce Murphy, Ed.D., Colonel Murphy passed away on Jan. 8 of injuries suffered as the victim of a hit-and-run accident a day earlier while on her morning walk near home.
Colonel Murphy’s years of service were decorated with many medals, including the Legion of Merit (awarded three times), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (awarded two times), and the Army Meritorious Service Medal (awarded three times). During her military career, she served with distinction in many leadership posts spanning the United States and abroad, including Europe, Latin America, South Korea, and the Middle East. An Army nurse, Colonel Murphy was the chief of health promotion for the U.S. Southern Command in Panama and spearheaded Army health, wellness, and support programs in Germany, Virginia, in the Pentagon, and at the Army War College. During and after the Gulf War, Colonel Murphy worked with combat troops in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq.
Before retiring from the military in 2001, Colonel Murphy was given oversight of the military’s program for world-class athletes, a task that placed her on the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Board of Directors and as chair of the USOC Multi-Sport Organizations Council for 10 years. For the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, she was designated Chef de Mission for the U.S. Paralympic Team.
The U.S. flag is presented to Bruce Murphy following the funeral service for Murphy’s spouse, U.S. Army Col. Jeanne Picariello, in Section 78 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., April 12, 2023.
Picariello served for more than 20 years in the Army as a surgical nurse, with tours in the Persian Gulf. Her years of service were decorated with many medals, including the Meritorious Service Medal (awarded three times), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (awarded two times), and the Legion of Merit (awarded two times).
(U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)
Bruce Murphy places a flower on top of the casket of his spouse, U.S. Army Col. Jeanne Picariello, following her funeral service in Section 78 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., April 12, 2023.
Picariello served for more than 20 years in the Army as a surgical nurse, with tours in the Persian Gulf. Her years of service were decorated with many medals, including the Meritorious Service Medal (awarded three times), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (awarded two times), and the Legion of Merit (awarded two times).
(U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)
Soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Caisson Platoon, and the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own” conduct military funeral honors with funeral escort for U.S. Army Col. Jeanne Picariello in Section 78 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., April 12, 2023.
Picariello served for more than 20 years in the Army as a surgical nurse, with tours in the Persian Gulf. Her years of service were decorated with many medals, including the Meritorious Service Medal (awarded three times), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (awarded two times), and the Legion of Merit (awarded two times).
Bruce Murphy, Picariello’s spouse, received the U.S. flag from her funeral service.
(U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)
A firing party from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) fire 3-rifle volleys as part of military funeral honors with funeral escort for U.S. Army Col. Jeanne Picariello in Section 78 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., April 12, 2023.
Picariello served for more than 20 years in the Army as a surgical nurse, with tours in the Persian Gulf. Her years of service were decorated with many medals, including the Meritorious Service Medal (awarded three times), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (awarded two times), and the Legion of Merit (awarded two times).
Bruce Murphy, Picariello’s spouse, received the U.S. flag from her funeral service.
(U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)
Photo credit: U.S. Army photos by Elizabeth Fraser, Arlington National Cemetery
Photo 1: The U.S. flag is presented to Bruce Murphy following the funeral services for his wife, U.S. Army Colonel Jeanne Picariello Murphy.
Photo 2: Bruce Murphy places a rose on the casket of his wife, U.S. Army Colonel Jeanne Picariello Murphy.
Photo 3: Soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Caisson Platoon, and the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own” conduct military funeral honors with funeral escort for U.S. Army Colonel Jeanne Picariello Murphy.
Photo 4: A firing party from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) fire three-rifle volleys as part of military funeral honors with funeral escort for U.S. Army Colonel Jeanne Picariello Murphy.