Alva Cochran Murphy was born on 26 January 1918 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was the son of Joseph Patrick Murphy and Iva Pearl Murphy. Brother of Joseph Patrick Murphy Jr. He attended Knoxville High School and was a graduate of the University of Tennessee. He enlisted on August 16, 1941, in Fort Oglethorpe, GA. Alva C. Murphy was promoted to Captain Nov. 19, 1943.
Major Murphy (Captain at the time of the crash) was the pilot of aircraft P-51D-20 with serial number 44-63765. He was on a ramrod mission to Ruhland, Germany. The aircraft crashed near Grosbzig. Major Murphy was initially buried in Grosbzig cemetery. Shot down six enemy aircrafts.
Statement from 1st Lt Howard Westling, Air Corps, Pilot:
I was flying Greenhouse Red Two, wingman of Captain Murphy. Southeast of Magdeburg we spotted a ME-109 in the clouds. Captain Murphy got strikes and the 109 went in. About five minutes later we saw another 109 below the clouds. After about two turns Captain Murphy got strikes on the 109 and it burst into flames and crashed. After a few minutes we spotted an airfield. Captain Murphy and I went down. Captain Murphy was hit by flak and bailed out about 10 minutes later. I saw his chute open and he landed in a field. He bailed out approximately 30 miles southwest of Magdeburg at 1010. This occurred on 2 March 1945, under order 1683A, VIII Air Force.-U.S. Army Air Forces, 364th Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group
He is buried in Luxembourg American Cemetery in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, G, 7, 23
- Rank: Major
- Date of birth: 26 January 1918
- Date of death: 2 March 1945
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Knoxville
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 364th Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Air Medal with Eleven Gold Stars, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Luxembourg American Cemetery, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIV, Top Panel
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