1987 –
Address: 22 Kenilworth Cir
Service: Army
Rank: Captain
Conflict: Afghanistan
Background:
Jake grew up in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Following high school, he was recruited to play lacrosse for Army at the United States Military Academy at West Point. While there he received a general engineering degree with a secondary major in Spanish. Following graduation in May of 2009, Jake was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the infantry branch of the Army, sending him to Fort Benning, GA where he completed the Infantry Officers Basic Course, Airborne School, and Ranger School. Following his stint in Georgia, Jake was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, NY where he met his wife Lisa Morgan. While at Fort Drum, Jake was assigned a platoon of 40 soldiers who he oversaw and deployed to Afghanistan with. Four months into the deployment Jake was injured from a blast from an Improvised Explosive Device.
As a result of the blast, Jake lost both of his legs and went into a coma for a month. He had to learn how to use his prosthetics as the explosion caused him to become a bilateral amputee dealing with amputations with one being above and the other below his knee. Additionally, Jake has dealt with the aftermath of his coma which caused him to be diagnosed with a traumatic, severe brain injury.
Jake, Lisa and their two children Nolan and Lilah currently moved from their home in Flower Mound, Texas but to a custom built “smart” home in Copper Canyon, TX. The house is handicap accessible and was received through the Gary Sinise Foundation.
Previously, Jake worked for Verizon Communications doing supply chain work while concurrently receiving his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas. Following his time with the Telecommunications company, he transitioned to Lockheed Martin within the PAC-3 Program where he has been working with the Evolutionary Development team with the Quality Organization since August of 2017. In the Fall of 2019, Jake moved out of the development realm and started supporting the contract between Lockheed Martin and the country of Japan, being named the Quality Lead on the team in January. In addition to performing his duties of a Quality Engineer, Jake is an active member of the Employee Resource Group (ERG) community, acting as a board member on the Military Veterans group and an Able with Allies and Able ERG.
One day Jake received a recruiting call from the lacrosse coach at the United States Military Academy and knew immediately it was his destiny. After graduating from West Point, Jake received his commission in to the Army as an Infantry Officer and deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan as the executive officer of his platoon.
On July 23, 2011, while on a mission in the Regional Command South area, a pressure plate improvised explosive device (IED) detonated beneath Jake, immediately taking his left foot and causing an anoxic brain injury that put him in a coma. Jake was evacuated to Germany for treatment, where doctors informed his family Jake may never wake up. While in Germany, Jake’s right leg was amputated. Against all odds, Jake emerged from his coma four weeks later. He then was flown to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center where his left leg was amputated above the knee, leaving Jake a double amputee.
Jake has now learned to walk with prosthetic legs. The Gary Sinise Foundation was honored to provide a specially adapted smart home that has enabled Jake and his family to overcome this challenge and begin a new chapter.
Jake is a great ambassador for Wellesley and is much remembered and loved. He talks about the impact of The Gary Sinise Foundation:
“Our home has been wonderful thus far!
Unlike my previous house, the open concept of my forever home offers makes it so much easier for me get around, both in my prosthetics and when using my wheelchair. This alone results in more quality time being spent with my children as I can do what many able bodied individuals take for granted, like read them books from their bedrooms, playing with toys and making art.
The smart functions of our house also provide a level of both convenience and security that other homes do not. From the ability to control the lights throughout the entire home, even when I am in bed with my legs off, to setting the alarm system with my phone, there is a level of security that I feel that never existed before.
My appreciation for GSF and it’s donors’ generosity can not be properly put into words. What I can say though, is that it brings me great joy to know that my family and I can grow in a home that is perfect for my needs now and as I grow older.
Thank everyone that played a part in our home so so much!”
More info? Do you know Jake Murphy? Please send photos and stories to us.