PA State Representative John Murtha has passed away due to complications from his scheduled surgery earlier in the week to remove his gallbladder.Murtha at age 77 was a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense as well as being Pennsylvania’s Longest Serving Member of Congress.

Murtha was born in New Martinsville, West Virginia and grew up in Westmoreland County. As he grew up, he earned Eagle Scout Status, delivered Newspapers, and worked at a gas station. He graduated from the Kiski School in Saltsburg, PA, moved on to Washington and Jefferson College, then opted to leave that behind for the Marine Corps. He achieved the American Spirit Honor Medal because of his leadership skills and soon moved on to become a drill instructor at Parris Island. He was then chosen to attend Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA and from there moved onto another Division in North Carolina.

One his Active Duty Time was complete, Murtha retained membership in the Marine Corps Reserve and started a small car wash business in Johnstown, PA’s West End. As well, he took advantage of his Military time buy utilizing his GI Bill and attending the University of Pittsburgh and earned a degree in Economics. He also attended classes at IUP before marrying his wife in 1955 and moved on to have three children with her.

After finishing up with the Marines in 1955, Murtha remained with the Reserves until volunteering for service in the Vietname War, where he served one year as a Battalion Staff Officer. For his time there, he received the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, two (2) Purple Hearts, and the Bronze Star with Valor Device. Murtha Retired from the Marine Corps in 1990 with the rank on Colonel and received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

He was elected into the PA House of Representatives in 1969 then moved on in 1974 to become a member of the US House of Representatives. Murtha was a Democrat, however some of his views were a bit more conservative that many other members of the Democratic Party. His stances on Abortion, Gun Control, and Medical Malpractice Tort Reform were the opposite of many other Democrats in the House, yet he still supported and voted in their favor on many occasions.

Amidst criticism throughout the years, Murtha has been the front man in landing many Defense and Manufacturing Jobs for Western Pennsylvania. His efforts have put many people back to work in our area and have helped Johnstown to re-establish itself as a Technology-Oriented Area after the fall of the Steel Industry in the 70s-80s caused many to lose their jobs.

We offer our Condolences to the family and friends or Mr. John Murtha and will never forget his fondness of our area.

You can join the Official MyJohnstownPA.com John P. Murtha Facebook Group

You can leave your Condolences below as we all know the effect that Mr. Murtha’s Passing will have a major effect on our area. Also, please submit any photos you may have of or with John P. Murtha to news@myjohnstownpa.com and we will add them all to a Photo Gallery dedicated to Mr. John Murtha.

-MyJohnstownPA.com Staff

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