By Gina Gomez
Feb 9, (THAINDIAN NEWS) John Murtha, the Pennsylvania Democratic Representative died on Monday at around 1.18 p.m. He was the first veteran of the Vietnam war to enter Congress and one of the House’s most powerful lawmakers. The 77-year-old died at Virginia Hospital Center from complications of post gallbladder surgery.

He was a native of New Martinsville, West Virginia. He grew up in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. As a young man, he became an Eagle Scout. He use to deliver newspapers and worked at a gas station before graduating from The Kiski School. He was elected to Congress in a special election in 1974.

He left Washington and Jefferson College in the year 1952 and joined the Marine Corps. During training, he proved to be an efficient leader and was awarded the American Spirit Honor Medal. He became a drill instructor at Parris Island. He was selected for Officer Candidate School at Quantico, Virginia. He was then assigned to the Second Marine Division in North Carolina. He remained in the Marine Forces Reserve. He went to University of Pittsburgh on the G.I. Bill, and earned a degree in economics. He did graduation courses from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

On May 20, 1969, he was elected to represent the 72nd legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. John Murtha faced tough challenges in his political career in the years 1982, 1990 and again in 2002.

He had an infection which was caused due to a accidental cut to the intestine during a surgery of gall bladder. A week after the surgery, he died on February 8. Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House said, “..with the passing of John Murtha, America has lost a great patriot.”