 As part of Operation Torch the United States seized Port Lyautey in French Morocco on 8 November 1942, and the 3rd Infantry Division was sent there on 7 March 1943. The Division was placed under the command of Major General Lucian Truscott, who took them through rigorous training at Arzew in Algeria, for an amphibious landing at Sicily. Private Murphy participated with his division in 30-mile (48 km) 8-hour marches, known as the "Truscott Trot". For the first hour, the men marched at a pace of 5 mph (8.0 km / h), and slowed to 4 mph (6.4 km / h) for the second hour, taking the final 21 miles (34 km) at a pace of 3.5 mph (5.6 km / h). They also performed bayonet and land mine drills, obstacle course training and other exercises. Murphy was promoted to private first class on 7 May. After the 13 May surrender of the Axis forces in French Tunisia, the division was put in charge of the prisoners. They returned to Algeria on 15 May for "Operation Copycat", training exercises in preparation for the assault landing in Sicily.
