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

[jjonez]

If you want to try to find out if he went to church off base you could search online for churches in the surrounding area that were active in 1976. If you know his denomination, that would narrow it down. Many churches have digitized their old church directories and posted them online. You could also contact the current pastors at the most likely churches.

 

[Snoangel26]

I understand that you don’t know, but some one else might. I don’t know that his church attendance would be part of any “record”. And I suspect that people would be more helpful than records in this case. If his classmates noticed he carried a bible, his comrades at Pendleton may have noticed his church going habits. You could ask them. You could also ask them who the chaplain was when they were there. If you haven’t made contact with any of his fellow marines yet, it’s definitely an avenue worth pursuing.

Additionally, a quick google shows me this…

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton > Main Menu > Staff & Agencies > Chaplains

There are a ton of contact numbers at the bottom of the page. Talk to the current chaplain. These are kind and helpful folks. They can help you find out who the chaplain was in 1976. I bet with a little research, you might even find a record of previous chaplains online.

Thank you so much. I'll be contacting people.

 

[Snoangel26]

Snowangel, you do know the first three numbers, you said?

The last 3 numbers. He was born in Claremore Oklahoma. I believe there until at least til 1961, his brother was born in 1961 in Oklahoma County not sure what city

 

[jjonez]

From the opening post…

...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…

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

…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.

RSBM

1. Did I miss a post wherein you tell about his last sighting in Claremore? Was he seen there after his last sighting by the military or his last sighting by his wife? Details of all three of these last sightings could be helpful.

2. I’m wondering about the “multitude of reasons”. I respect your right to privacy, but I am wondering if any of these reasons might point to where he went when he disappeared.

3. I’m confused, are his eyes brown or blue? I looked up SM’s NAMUS entry and I would swear it said two blue eyes.

4. Who is MP?

 

[Snoangel26]

From the opening post…



RSBM

1. Did I miss a post wherein you tell about his last sighting in Claremore? Was he seen there after his last sighting by the military or his last sighting by his wife? Details of all three of these last sightings could be helpful.

2. I’m wondering about the “multitude of reasons”. I respect your right to privacy, but I am wondering if any of these reasons might point to where he went when he disappeared.

3. I’m confused, are his eyes brown or blue? I looked up SM’s NAMUS entry and I would swear it said two blue eyes.

4. Who is MP?

I filed Missing person report before I learned about the military issues. MP is missing person. I have no colored pictures of Stephen and my mother said his hair was brown.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Just a couple of thoughts, Snoangel:
1. I would suggest getting direct communication with @Richard here on we sleuths. He really does seem to be an expert on missing persons cases.
2. Get in touch with the high school to see if they have the reunion team set up for the class of 75. Seriously, these people get into the roll they play, to rally the troops. You tell your story so well....they will help you get the story out there. People who served in those years, were still treated poorly at home, so if ANYONE who communicated with him knows more.

3. Keep posting...even when nothing new is being presented or asked. When people here on websleuths keep seeing new posts they get more interested. So new people keep popping in to learn more. You are so very good at continually responding to all these inquiries. But this is such a difficult search, given the extraordinary connections in military/government records. So most of us have to give up helping. But eventually, the right connections will fall into place.
4. Treat yourself well. You are doing an amazing job, and you will find truth.

 

[megs1477]

I’m not sure if those photo is original or was colorized after the fact, but his eyes appear brown

 

[Snoangel26]

Just a couple of thoughts, Snoangel:
1. I would suggest getting direct communication with @Richard here on we sleuths. He really does seem to be an expert on missing persons cases.
2. Get in touch with the high school to see if they have the reunion team set up for the class of 75. Seriously, these people get into the roll they play, to rally the troops. You tell your story so well....they will help you get the story out there. People who served in those years, were still treated poorly at home, so if ANYONE who communicated with him knows more.

3. Keep posting...even when nothing new is being presented or asked. When people here on websleuths keep seeing new posts they get more interested. So new people keep popping in to learn more. You are so very good at continually responding to all these inquiries. But this is such a difficult search, given the extraordinary connections in military/government records. So most of us have to give up helping. But eventually, the right connections will fall into place.
4. Treat yourself well. You are doing an amazing job, and you will find truth.

Thank you. I completely understand people have to give up, buy I truly appreciate all of their help, suggestions and guidance. I will try to get in touch with @Richard. I will learn who is alumni for 1975.

 

[Snoangel26]

I’m not sure if those photo is original or was colorized after the fact, but his eyes appear brown
View attachment 431646

I used an app to put them into color

 

[jjonez]

I am still working my way through the thread. And I have found something else to be confused about.

@Snoangel26 you said you have not been able to access SM’s service record, but @megs1477 posted this in January.

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

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...

www.websleuths.com

Is this not his service record? It looks like it to me. It is from the NPRC, it says “record of service” and documents the dates of each of his status changes in his service from recruitment to his final desertion, and even his separation info on the first page.

Please help me understand. Are you referring to a record other than his service record?

 

[megs1477]

If you want to try to find out if he went to church off base you could search online for churches in the surrounding area that were active in 1976. If you know his denomination, that would narrow it down. Many churches have digitized their old church directories and posted them online. You could also contact the current pastors at the most likely churches.

Where would this information be posted online?

 

[Snoangel26]

The record that @megs1477 was able to obtain only gave very little information. It gave us his duty station and what he did, plus his multiple AWOL's. I have been trying to get his whole service record. Without his SSN i am unable to determine if he is deceased or alive.

I am still working my way through the thread. And I have found something else to be confused about.

@Snoangel26 you said you have not been able to access SM’s service record, but @megs1477 posted this in January.

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

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...

www.websleuths.com

Is this not his service record? It looks like it to me. It is from the NPRC, it says “record of service” and documents the dates of each of his status changes in his service from recruitment to his final desertion, and even his separation info on the first page.

Please help me understand. Are you referring to a record other than his service record?

 

[megs1477]

I am still working my way through the thread. And I have found something else to be confused about.

@Snoangel26 you said you have not been able to access SM’s service record, but @megs1477 posted this in January.

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

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...

www.websleuths.com

Is this not his service record? It looks like it to me. It is from the NPRC, it says “record of service” and documents the dates of each of his status changes in his service from recruitment to his final desertion, and even his separation info on the first page.

Please help me understand. Are you referring to a record other than his service record?

We were only able to obtain that one page from his file. All other documents are not releasable unless we are able to prove death or permission.

 

[jjonez]

I’m wondering if the detective on SM’s missing person case has interviewed any of SM’s surviving family members. They may know where/who SM is now, and be keeping it secret if SM doesn’t want to be “found”. It seems that they haven’t given up any info so far. I wonder if some “official” pressure would get them talking. Of course it could go the other way as well, making them even more stubborn/secretive.

 

[megs1477]

I’m wondering if the detective on SM’s missing person case has interviewed any of SM’s surviving family members. They may know where/who SM is now, and be keeping it secret if SM doesn’t want to be “found”. It seems that they haven’t given up any info so far. I wonder if some “official” pressure would get them talking. Of course it could go the other way as well, making them even more stubborn/secretive.

@Snoangel26 has spoken to them and they do not know.
The Detective has not interviewed all of the family members.

 

[jjonez]

Where would this information be posted online?

Which part?

It is quite a research project. If it were me I might start by googling churches in San Onofre or another nearby location if you think it is more likely. If you are able to narrow it down by denomination that would be a huge help, I don’t know if you have that info.

Then you would need to look at each church, first to see if they were active in 1975/76, and then to see if they have digitized and posted their church directories or yearbooks. Many that I have seen from that time period even have decent quality black and white photos.

If you find something call the number associated with the church. Ask about the pastor who was there at that time or longtime members of the congregation.

Is that what you’re asking?

 

[megs1477]

Which part?

It is quite a research project. If it were me I might start by googling churches in San Onofre or another nearby location if you think it is more likely. If you are able to narrow it down by denomination that would be a huge help, I don’t know if you have that info.

Then you would need to look at each church, first to see if they were active in 1975/76, and then to see if they have digitized and posted their church directories or yearbooks. Many that I have seen from that time period even have decent quality black and white photos.

If you find something call the number associated with the church. Ask about the pastor who was there at that time or longtime members of the congregation.

Is that what you’re asking?

you said "Many churches have digitized their old church directories and posted them online."
I was wondering where those records might be online. I am familiar with the ones through Ancestry, but not in any other location.

 

[jjonez]

The record that @megs1477 was able to obtain only gave very little information. It gave us his duty station and what he did, plus his multiple AWOL's. I have been trying to get his whole service record. Without his SSN i am unable to determine if he is deceased or alive.

Hm, I guess my perspective is different, I read them and thought that was a lot of information. My late ex was a vet, he needed to request his own records at one time, and what he received had overall less info than what you got (even though they were spread across more pages, lol). I’m wondering what else you expected to find in his record? I don’t think they will give his SSN or DD214 to anyone but him.

 

[jjonez]

you said "Many churches have digitized their old church directories and posted them online."
I was wondering where those records might be online. I am familiar with the ones through Ancestry, but not in any other location.

Ah. Do you mean is there some kind repository for all directories? If I there is I don’t know about it. Churches post them to their own websites.

 

[megs1477]

Hm, I guess my perspective is different, I read them and thought that was a lot of information. My late ex was a vet, he needed to request his own records at one time, and what he got had overall less info than what you got (even though they were spread across more pages, lol). I’m wondering what else you expected to find in his record? I don’t think they will give his SSN or DD214 to anyone but him.

unless we prove he is deceased, which is what we are trying to figure out how to do without having him legally declared dead until the SSA info comes back.