FRANKFORT, Ky. –
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Elizabeth Murphy was surrounded by family, friends and colleagues as she was promoted to colonel during a ceremony at the Wellman Auditorium at Boone National Guard Center, July 22, 2025.
She currently serves as a judge advocate with the Kentucky National Guard and is on a Title 10 tour with the National Guard Bureau Office of Special Victims’ Counsel. She recently transferred from the Indiana National Guard to Kentucky.
Murphy started her military career in 1997 when she joined the Michigan Army National Guard. Since, she has served in the Quartermaster Corps and Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps.
During her career, she has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Nato Medal, Global War on Terror Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal along with others.
She has served as Special Victims’ Counsel and Staff Judge Advocate for the Indiana Army National Guard. She also served with the Office of Special Victims’ Counsel, where she and her co-counsel were the first National Guard judge advocates to argue at the Court of Appeals for the armed forces.
Maj. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton presided over the ceremony, and welcomed Murphy to the Kentucky National Guard.
“I'm honored to have you as one of us,” said Lamberton. “I think it's terrific that you're able to engage your family with it as well. I believe one of the strengths of our organization is the family dynamic.”
Lamberton also praised the experience that Murphy brings to the organization.
“With your service initially as an officer in another branch, it adds to your larger perspective of the military,” said Lamberton. “Subsequently becoming an attorney in the National Guard, being an attorney in multiple states, being an attorney who's deployed multiple times, being an attorney who's worked for numerous entities, my impression is that type of the experience makes you a well-rounded person.”
Murphy expressed her gratitude for the many who provided support and encouragement throughout her career.
“The most important thing about this moment is the gratitude I have for everyone who is here,” said Murphy. “This moment would not have even been possible had it not been for the general officers that are here today. Thank you to all the leaders for giving me this opportunity.”
Retired Maj. Gen. Timothy Winslow, former Indiana National Guard assistant adjutant general, administered the oath to Murphy during the ceremony.
Murphy’s rank was pinned by her son Brennan, her significant other Matt Staley and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Natalie Lewellen.
She pledged do everything possible to be the best colonel that she can be for the Kentucky National Guard and its Soldiers.
“All I can promise you is that I will always care, I will always listen more than I talk, and I will never take anyone or anything for granted,” said Murphy. “With this promotion, your level of trust in me has deepened. I hear you, I understand the assignment and I will do everything in my power to be the best colonel I can be, as that is my responsibility. That is what I owe all to you, and to all the members of the Kentucky National Guard.”