Sergeant First Class Marcus V. Muralles died on 28 June 2005 in eastern Afghanistan when his MH-47D Chinook helicopter, #146, was shot down by an enemy rocket propelled grenade while flying in to rescue the members of a SEAL team during Operation RED WINGS.

SFC Muralles was born on 5 October 1971 in Louisiana, and was raised in Shelbyville, Indiana. He joined the Army in December 1988 as an Infantryman. After completing Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia. After completing his initial enlistment obligation, he was assigned to the Inactive Ready Reserve in 1993.

In August 1998, he returned to active duty and graduated One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning in the summer of 1998. His first duty station was Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment as a Medical Administrator, Platoon Medic, and Company Senior Medic. In August 2003, SFC Muralles was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, as an Aerial Flight Medic.

SFC Muralles was a graduate of the Emergency Medical Technician Course, Basic Airborne Course, Ranger School, Primary Leadership Development Course, U.S. Army Jumpmaster School, Special Operations Training Course, Special Operations Medic Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, and the Army Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course.

SFC Muralles' military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (w/"V" Device), Army Commendation Medal (w/1 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (w/3 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), National Defense Service Medal (w/1 Bronze Service Star), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (w/1 Bronze Service Star), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (w/Numeral 3), Army Service Ribbon, Combat Medical Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, Master Parachutist Badge (w/2 Combat Jumps), Aviation Badge, Expert Qualification Badge (Rifle), Ranger Tab, and British Jump Wings. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (w/"V" Device), and the Combat Action Badge.

SFC Muralles is survived by his wife, Diana; their two children, Anna and Dominic; mother, Rosemarie; and his sister, Cindy. He is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 60, Site 8200. The Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, Company Operations Facility at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, is dedicated in his honor as Muralles Hall and Hangar #7902 at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, is dedicated in honor of the crew of Aircraft Tail #146 as Turbine 33 Hangar.