John Patrick Murtha Jr., commonly known as Jack Murtha, was an American politician and retired Marine Corps colonel from Pennsylvania. Born on June 17, 1932, in New Martinsville, West Virginia, he grew up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he developed strong ties to working-class communities. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1955 to 1967 (active duty) and remained in the reserves until 1990, earning two Purple Hearts as a decorated Vietnam War veteran. After military service, he earned an economics degree from the University of Pittsburgh on the G.I. Bill and operated the Johnstown Minute Car Wash. Murtha entered politics in 1969 as a Pennsylvania state representative before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974, representing Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district until his death in 2010—making him the longest-serving Representative from Pennsylvania. Throughout his congressional career, he was a prominent member of the House Appropriations Committee, particularly influential on defense and military funding as ranking Democrat on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. Initially hawkish on national security, he became a vocal critic of the Iraq War and called for a phased troop withdrawal in 2005, sparking national debate. He advocated for veterans' issues and economic development in his Rust Belt district. His tenure faced allegations of ethics violations related to earmarks and lobbying, though he maintained his integrity. Murtha died on February 8, 2010, at age 77 from complications following gallbladder surgery, leaving a legacy as a pragmatic, influential lawmaker who bridged military experience with progressive foreign policy critiques.