Democratic Congressman and Vietnam veteran John Murtha from Pennsylvania died Monday of complications from gallbladder surgery at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Virginia. He was 77.
“Ever since I was a young boy, I had two goals in life – I wanted to be a Colonel in the Marine Corps and a member of Congress,” he wrote in his book “From Vietnam to 9/11”.
He achieved both as he was the first Vietnam veteran to be elected to Congress in 1974. Murtha volunteered for the Vietnam War and served as an intelligence officer. He earned two Purple Hearts and one Bronze Star.
President Obama called Murtha, who had a reputation of fighting for his district, “a steadfast advocate for the people of Pennsylvania for nearly 40 years with a tough-as-nails attitude.”
In 2002 Murtha voted to authorize President George W. Bush to send troops to Iraq.
After growing increasingly frustrated with what he saw as the war’s gruesome realities, he changed his mind and became an outspoken critic of the continuous engagement in the country.
In 2005, he called for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq.
“The war in Iraq is not going as advertised. It is a flawed policy wrapped in illusions,” he said. Murtha’s change of heart made waves because Murtha was seen as a spokesman for veterans on Capitol Hill. 
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, credited him with always promoting the military.
“That we have the greatest military in the history of world is testament in no small part to his vigilance and stewardship,” Mullen said.
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell said Monday he had made no decision as to when to hold the special election to replace Murtha. The governor has 10 days to schedule a date.
Murtha is survived by Joyce, his wife of almost 55 years, and three children. Funeral arrangements have not been made.