DEBORAH GILLIAN MURPHY (née SHANNON) was born on December 1st 1942, making her the youngest person ever, in 1966 (aged twenty-three), in space and to ever walk on the moon in 1969 (aged twenty-six); consequently she is the only person to have ever been lost in space indefinitely.
For the first eighteen years of her life Captain Murphy lived between the Shannon family homestead in Arizona, and in Washington D.C because of her father's congressional commitments. Although chaotic at times, Captain Murphy, upon reflection of her childhood in an exclusive interview in 1967, stated that she found both homes comfortable and enjoyable when the family was together, also noting that it was always the same sky she was more interested looking up to. At age nineteen she moved to permanent residence at Massachusetts Institute for Technology on full scholarship to begin and continue her study of Aeronautic Engineering. However, it was no secret that she, above all academic achievements, valued her commitment to her membership of the Ninety-Nines—an international organization that provides networking, mentoring, and flight scholarship opportunities to recreational and professional female pilots—most seriously of all.
Being the youngest member of the Shannon family, Captain Murphy was never a stranger to public appearances: whether she was supporting her father in his latest election campaign, which she had done ever since she was four years old, or speaking on the Joint NASA-SHIELD Aeronautics Programme. Captain Murphy would always have a good natured comment and smile for the camera to inspire the generations watching, including her insightful views on progressive issues.
Captain Murphy's relationship with NASA began in 1963 when she was under the supervision and mentoring of renowned female pilot Jackie Cochran. From her fourth month in the organisation, she was approached by Director of SHIELD Margaret 'Peggy' Carter, and Howard Stark. They selected Murphy for their own investment in the space programme which intended to harness the work and legacy of Captain Steve Rogers and energy reserves and resources he helped uncover in World War Two. This led to her premature first exploration in space, along with future fellow moonwalker Neil Armstrong, in Gemini 8. It was on this historic, strictly civilian, flight that Murphy not only became the first American woman in space but also stabilised the whole mission when a malfunction triggered Armstrong and Murphy's space craft to continuously spiral out of control. Upon reentry Armstrong is quoted: 'It's hard to say exactly what happened up there [...] but I can tell you one thing for certain and that is that I wouldn't have wished to have any other pilot by my side.' Meanwhile the Gemini 8 mission was considered a small feat, Armstrong and Murphy began a notable friendship, with Armstrong later reportedly stating that he would also feel much more comfortable with Murphy on the Apollo 11 mission.
The momentous Apollo 11 mission with Armstrong, Murphy and Buzz Aldrin placed Armstrong and Murphy firmly on the moon, Murphy being the Lunar Module and Celestial Pilot. Sidelined with this mission was the highly anticipated Joint NASA-SHIELD Programme, spearheaded by Howard Stark, to which Murphy was the sole participant. Both missions were carried out diligently and were both successful in meeting their primary objectives. It was on the reentry of the space craft which resulted in the heroic sacrifice of Murphy detaching the Celestial module, that had been fitted for SHIELD purposes, in order for Armstrong and Aldrin to return safely home.
Murphy lost contact with Houston on July 25th 1969, one day after her crew mates splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. It was calculated by the flight surgeon that Murphy's oxygen supply would have depleted at approximately 23:38 UTC, July 25th.
The world mourns Deborah Murphy as an astronaut, modern day explorer and heroic icon. Commander in Chief, President Richard Nixon has appointed the title of Captain upon Murphy for her services and sacrifices to the American space programme with both NASA and SHIELD.
Captain Murphy was remembered with a national day of mourning on her twenty-seventh birthday, December 1st 1969, and a memorial plaque was placed on Capitol Hill for the public to pay their respects.
Captain Murphy leaves behind her parents, Senator Joseph Shannon and Yvette Shannon in Arizona; and her widowed husband who now lives in Queens, New York.
The Washington Post Obituary in memory of:
Captain Deborah Murphy,
Updated Special Edition. September 2nd; 1971.'While in space, on the moon, part of myself wishes to look back and see our earth from a different point of view—to admire our planet in a grandeur perspective. Another part of myself longs to search for what lies and lives beyond each star, each planet... Yes, I think we should keep going—I want to keep going: higher further faster.'
Captain Deborah Murphy. June 11th 1969.
FROM THOSE WHO KNEW HER BEST:
'Every father believes his daughter is a princess, I think it's about time every father hopes for a hero in the family too. Deb knew what she was doing. She knew who she was saving.'
Senator Joe Shannon. August 31st 1969.
'Deborah Murphy is—was one of the few people I have known in my life who have an intelligence about humanity that one cannot stop admiring. Her endurance and courage is testament to her spirit that never wavered or altered over time. She is an inspiration to all generations, it was my honour to know her as well as I did.'
Director Peggy Carter. January 23rd 1970.
'I am heading a new task force integrated with the best SHIELD and NASA, and Stark Industries can supply in order to find out what exactly happened up there.'
Howard Stark. September 1st 1969.
'I know how much she hated all this fuss, so I'll keep it short but with something that she would never let any of us admit: Deborah Murphy was the best damn pilot that the agency has ever seen. I hope the committees and hearings that have been appointed to investigate this keep that in mind when they consider the options she would have had up there.'
Jackie Cochran. September 8th 1969.
'There is no day that goes by where I do not miss Captain Murphy. She was an astute pilot and thinker.'
Armin Zola. July 4th 1970.
'Hindsight is a precarious thing, she used to say... When I look back, forty years ago, I don't think I could have done anything different—Captain Murphy wouldn't have wanted it any other way. It was her decision and I will continue to respect that. I only wish she could have been here to see everything else that's been discovered, thanks to her, since.'
Neil Armstrong. August 5th 2010.
( AND )
'When I grow up, I want to be like Captain Murphy—she's my hero. I want to go higher further faster for her.'
Carol Danvers. November 7th 1972 (aged 6).
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Fanfiction"A Second American Hero... Well that's a coincidence. What happens now? You just gonna drop her at Rogers' doorstep?" ( steve rogers & oc - deborah murphy) ( post the avengers ➙ avengers: endgame ) *on hiatus