OK OK - Stephen “Steve” Lee Murphy, last seen in Claremore sometime in 1976, not reported missing until July 2022

[megs1477]

This is very true. I was trying to find one or my great grandparents and I found a hint. I was about to add her but when I asked my parents it was a completely different woman.

I gave my 85 year old grandmother who taught me everything I know about genealogy as a teen access to my tree….it will take me years to find and undo the damage. Ignorance of the technology can cause issues too unfortunately.
However, one thing I forgot to mention in my prior post, the data contained on Ancestry is invaluable.

 

[Snoangel26]

That is why I was asking the type. If it was honorable, then he was alive at least until 1983. The only proof that he left the military prior to that are confirmed stories. A discharge means they 1-discharged him honorably by his choice, 2-dishonorably while in their custody, or 3- dishonorably related to awol status. I am not positive off the top of my head, but I think I read it is over 10 yrs before awol discharge.

I’ve been on this site and many other far longer than I’ve been posting…and the one thing I learned is start with verifiable facts. Exhaust those before spending time on theories and speculation. I know this is hard in your case with all the mystery. However, wherever the detective got those dates, they are much more reliable than people’s memories and second or third-hand stories.

That is true. I'll look thru my papers and see of they told me if it was honorably or dishonorable. If I talk to the on the phone I write down everything they tell me.

 

[Snoangel26]

My inquiry is more specifically asking why does only one public family tree show THREE children born to Tommy and Mary Jane.

I am assuming that this is NOT a tree that you or Megs1477 posted??? So does the author of this tree "McLaughlin Tree" know anything more???

I'll go looking thru them

 

[Snoangel26]

While I would love to think this was possible, I looked at the tree you referenced and I do not believe so. This person only has a single source for Tommy (Steve's father), the 1940 census. The remainder of the family information was copied from another Ancestry tree. It is very disappointing, but family trees have become almost unreliable (in my opinion) as far as research tools because so many people blindly click on a leaf and think it is always going to be accurate. Without verifying the data you are adding, you are not only introducing bad data to your tree...but also providing that information publicly for others to copy. The top hit in family trees for Tommy is a tree that lists him as being born in North Carolina. The source for this is a prison record for Tommy out of WA. If you look at the record, while the names match, the ages don't. Further, Tommy's parents were in OK and surrounding areas both before and after his birth, so it is unlikely that he would be born in NC, and all his siblings and parents only recorded in OK and MO. (Sorry for over explaining...I turn into a genealogist after midnight when I run out of shoe prints to search).

I was feeling overly optimistic tonight, so I tried putting in a records request with the VA. In 800 characters (including spaces) or less, I begged as eloquently as possible for just an idea whether he was "active duty" immediately before his discharge, or some other status. Not being next of kin or having an obituary, chances are I will not succeed, but my new motto is You Can't Fail if you Don't Try! Considering my failure rate recently...I am due a big win. So fingers crossed!!!

My next option when requesting his records is that I'm gonna include the NAMUS report.

 

[loveplace]

My next option when requesting his records is that I'm gonna include the NAMUS report.

That's a really great idea. I wish you luck.

 

[megs1477]

I have to thank @Laughing for this interesting find...
Looking for an Air Force deserter and I found his name listed on an Air Force website as a deserter. Link below.
A quick google and I wasn't able to find a similar site for the Marines, but I think I am not using the right terminology. Does anyone have any military familiarity that may be able to easily locate a site for the Marines similar to the one below?

OSI Wanted

If Steve went AWOL as his mother claimed, he should still be on a list somewhere.

 

[megs1477]

OMG I GOT THEM! @Snoangel26
I can't believe it!

 

[Snoangel26]

OMG I GOT THEM! @Snoangel26
I can't believe it!


View attachment 396847View attachment 396848
View attachment 396845View attachment 396846

OMG, how were you able to get them? Thank you so very much.

 

[Snoangel26]

OMG I GOT THEM! @Snoangel26
I can't believe it!


View attachment 396847View attachment 396848View attachment 396845View attachment 396846

@megs1477 Would you please email them to me. [email protected]

 

[megs1477]

https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/Portals/61/MCPM%20(Chapter%2017)%20(Servicing%20the%20Records%20and%20Abbreviations)%20(52%20pgs).pdf?ver=2016-08-10-104036-537

Okay, abbreviations

Jd - Joined
Tr - Transferred
SemiAnn -
To UA - Unauthorized Absence
Surr - Surrender
To Du - Duty
To Des - Desert -er -ed -ion

Careers in the Military

Careers in the Military powered by ASVAB Career Exploration Program allows students to explore different jobs across Services in the context of their skills and interests.

www.careersinthemilitary.com

Marine Corps: Mortarman
Mortarmen are responsible for the tactical employment of the M224, 60mm Light Mortar and M252, 81mm Medium Mortar. Mortarmen provide indirect fire in support of the rifle and LAR squads/platoons/companies and the infantry and LAR battalions

 

[HmmMysterious]

OMG I GOT THEM! @Snoangel26
I can't believe it!


View attachment 396847View attachment 396848View attachment 396845View attachment 396846

It seems like there is no evidence of Stephen after November 22, 1976. Is that the only paper for record of service?

 

[megs1477]

It seems like there is no evidence of Stephen after November 22, 1976. Is that the only paper for record of service?

Yes. It’s actually 11/01/1976. The last two he didn’t show up.

 

[Tscore]

No- the daughter can't find the SSN or service number that is needed to complete the request

Go to the Social Security office

 

[Snoangel26]

Go to the Social Security office

Would they be able to give me, as his daughter, any information

 

[Kym66]

Hello Sleuthers,

Earlier today a friend sent me a message asking for help doing research on a missing person (the father of her friend). He was last seen in Claremore Oklahoma sometime in 1976. For a multitude of reasons, a missing persons report was not filed until last week in Tulsa.

STEPHEN "STEVE" LEE MURPHY
DOB: April 5, 1957 in Claremore Oklahoma

5’4”-5’7” 140-180lbs Brown hair, brown eyes

MOTHER: Mary Jane Hamm
FATHER: Tommy Wayne Murphy.

A.G. Bell junior high school 1970-1972, Tulsa, OK
Will Rogers High School graduate 1975, Tulsa, OK- DECA, Chess Club, Martial Arts, brought bible to school daily per classmate’s report. Went by "Steve"

Married June 2 1975 to in Tulsa. His uncle hadn't heard from him since about 1976. When my mother filed for divorce she had to put it in the newspaper as he couldn't be located, 1980 in the Tulsa Tribune, July 18,25, August 1, 8 publication.

MP’s mother reportedly told his siblings that “he went into the Marines and escaped still with handcuffs on and therefore went AWOL never seen again”.. When they asked about his whereabouts.

Where is Stephen Lee Murphy?

As long as she can prove ancestry.. archives.gov for military information

 

[megs1477]

As long as she can prove ancestry.. archives.gov for military information

There are zero records on this site.

@Snoangel26 i have a couple lawyer friends I am going to ask, but I do not believe you will be able to obtain any information unless he is legally declared dead.

 

[Snoangel26]

There are zero records on this site.

@Snoangel26 i have a couple lawyer friends I am going to ask, but I do not believe you will be able to obtain any information unless he is legally declared

I have consider declaring him deceased. The only thing with that is I don't want to close any doors until I know I've exhausted them. Supposedly the detective was getting the records. Bit seems to be taking them a very long time. Thank you for you help. I appreciate it and grateful.

 

[Laughing]

Would they be able to give me, as his daughter, any information

You might be able to get a more complete service record as his daughter?

Including his SSN or dental records? (I am sad to mention dental records....)

Could your Congressional representative's office help you further with this information?

Any Facebook pages for the members of his units?

Should his NAMUS be updated to date last seen, November 1, 1976?

Wonder if anyone can find P.C. Allen, and learn more about Stephen's time in the Marine Corp?

afaik, it is rather difficult to complete & graduate from Marine Corp boot camp. What was so very different for Stephen after his graduation?

What happened in the winter of 1976 that changes things for Stephen? Looks like his unit had served in Viet Nam, but the final Marines left Viet Nam in 1975 as far as I can tell with minimal Google-ing.

Great work, @megs1477

 

[Snoangel26]

You might be able to get a more complete service record as his daughter?

Including his SSN or dental records? (I am sad to mention dental records....)

Could your Congressional representative's office help you further with this information?

Any Facebook pages for the members of his units?

Should his NAMUS be updated to date last seen, November 1, 1976?

Wonder if anyone can find P.C. Allen, and learn more about Stephen's time in the Marine Corp?

afaik, it is rather difficult to complete & graduate from Marine Corp boot camp. What was so very different for Stephen after his graduation?

What happened in the winter of 1976 that changes things for Stephen? Looks like his unit had served in Viet Nam, but the final Marines left Viet Nam in 1975 as far as I can tell with minimal Google-ing.

Great work, @megs1477

I'm gonna try again with this knowledge. I'm gonna look more into some of the people. @megs1477 did a fantastic job. I'm truly grateful for the results.

 

[megs1477]

You might be able to get a more complete service record as his daughter?

Including his SSN or dental records? (I am sad to mention dental records....)

Could your Congressional representative's office help you further with this information?

Any Facebook pages for the members of his units?

Should his NAMUS be updated to date last seen, November 1, 1976?

Wonder if anyone can find P.C. Allen, and learn more about Stephen's time in the Marine Corp?

afaik, it is rather difficult to complete & graduate from Marine Corp boot camp. What was so very different for Stephen after his graduation?

What happened in the winter of 1976 that changes things for Stephen? Looks like his unit had served in Viet Nam, but the final Marines left Viet Nam in 1975 as far as I can tell with minimal Google-ing.

Great work, @megs1477

I found multiple people who served at the same time as Steve and sent them to @Snoangel26. Since they are not involved in the case, I did not post them here. From what I have read, they will not release anything beyond what I received without proof of death. I received that they would have sent to a family member. Technically, I should not have received anything.