During his sophomore season in 1950–1951, he played in 22 games, scoring in double figures seven times, with a season-high 16 against George Washington.

He appeared in 24 games during his junior year in 1951–1952 and 17 in his senior year in 1952–1953, during the latter season scoring a career-high 19 points in a game against George Washington, completing his three-year college basketball career with a total of 60 points scored against George Washington.

He served as a rifle platoon commander, participating in the development of vertical assault doctrine and in atomic bomb tests.

He then commanded the Marine Detachment aboard the United States Navy attack aircraft carrier USS Bennington (CVA-20).

[3] Murphy next completed the Amphibious Warfare School and the Nuclear Weapons Employment Course, then served in the Operations Section of Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic.

[3] Returning to the United States, Murphy completed the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, then was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, where he had duty until August 1972 as Ground Lieutenant Colonel Monitor and Head, Ground Officers Control Unit in the Personnel Department.

In July 1980 he was assigned duty as assistant chief of staff for plans at ROK/US Combined Forces Command in Seoul, South Korea.

Promoted to major general in March 1983, he became deputy chief of staff for manpower and Director, Personnel Management Division at Headquarters Marine Corps in June 1983.