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Family, Friends, Fellow Soldiers Salute Pasco Man Who Died Training

Tribune photo by CHRISTINE DELESSIO

Soldiers carry Pfc. Norman "Ehren" Murburg's casket out of St. Anthony of Padua Church in San Antonio. Murburg was buried at Florida National Cementery in Bushnell.

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By RONNIE BLAIR | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 19, 2008

SAN ANTONIO - Family, friends and fellow soldiers gathered today to pay their final respects to Army Pfc. Norman "Ehren" Murburg III, who died more than a week ago in a training accident at Fort Bragg, N.C.

During a service at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, the 2005 Pasco High School graduate was praised as a young man with integrity who wanted to serve his country and died doing something he believed in.

"I will tell stories about you to my children and grandchildren," his sister, Erica Murburg, said.

Norman Murburg said his son died "in the process and with the goal of becoming a better man."

Army officials said Ehren Murburg, assigned to the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, didn't return from a 10-hour land-navigation test that ended at 1 a.m. June 9 in the Hoffman Training Area, about 50 miles west of Fort Bragg. About 475 soldiers searched for him until his body was found.

Army officials said Murburg had water in two of his canteens and had used none of his emergency equipment.

All soldiers participating in the test carry more than 9 quarts of water and safety equipment, including a whistle, a strobe light and a reflective belt attached to their pack. Murburg did not activate his tracking device or use his flares, said Maj. Sonny Leggett, a spokesman for the Kennedy school.

During the test, soldiers are required to find several points in the pine forest that surrounds the base using only a map and a compass. The test is part of the Army's Special Forces assessment and selection training, the first step in becoming a Green Beret. Officials said Murburg located his first point but failed to find the remaining points or assembly areas.

The Rev. Henry Riffle, who officiated at today's service, noted that Murburg once said the only thing he was afraid of was Kryptonite, the fictional element that can kill Superman.

"Kryptonite comes in many forms and many ways," Riffle said. "We are all vulnerable to something in some way and in some place."

Murburg's final resting place is Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

Reporter Geoff Fox contributed to this report. Reporter Ronnie Blair can be reached at (813) 948-4218 or rblair@tampatrib.com.

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