Rep. John Murtha Dies at 77

Congressman John Murtha, one of the most powerful and influential Democratic lawmakers on defense issues in the House for more than three decades, died today in Arlington, Va., at the age of 77.

Murtha "passed away peacefully this afternoon. … At his bedside was his family," a statement from Murtha spokesman Matt Mazonkey said.

Murtha had recently undergone gall bladder surgery and was hospitalized Feb. 2 after complications with his recovery. On Feb. 6 – two days before his death -- Murtha passed the mark as Pennsylvania's longest serving member of Congress, representing the 12th district since 1974.

For the last two years, Murtha had served as the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee's defense panel, which determines where and how much of the Pentagon's money is spent. In his position as the chairman and earlier as the ranking member of the so-called HAC-D, Murtha was able to steer hundreds of millions of dollars to defense programs in his district, prompting accusations of sweet-heart deals and influence peddling.

Read Secretary of Defense Gates' statement on the death of Rep Murtha.

His May 2006 comments calling a squad of Marines who stormed a house in Haditha after a roadside bomb attack "cold blooded killers" eroded his image among many rank-and-file troops and veterans who'd looked to the former Marine colonel and Vietnam vet for leadership on key issues. He was an outspoken critic of the Iraq war and began calling for withdrawal in 2005.

Veterans groups contacted today offered no criticism of Murtha for his Haditha remarks.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars office in Washington referred Military.com to a May 2009 statement in which it defended Murtha, and said the sentiment still holds.

The congressman is certainly known to make foot-in-mouth statements, but he is also a strong advocate for veterans, servicemembers and their families, which helps explain why his constituents have elected him to Congress 19 times," said Glen M. Gardner Jr., then commander in chief of the VFW.

John Rowan, president of the Vietnam Veterans of America, said he never paid much attention to the controversy stemming from Murtha’s comments about Haditha.

“He was a supporter of veterans. That’s all I can tell you. The bottom line is that he was an honorable veteran. He served his country well,” Rowan said.

Murtha knew controversy long before the Haditha flap.

In 1980 he was caught up in the so-called ABSCAM sting operation, an FBI public corruption investigation that resulted in the arrests and convictions six congressmen and a senator, as well as other public officials.

The FBI videotaped the officials being offered bribes by phony Arab sheiks. Murtha was offered $50,000 but took a pass on the money “at this time,” he was recorded as saying. After determining its case against Murtha was weak, the Justice Department passed on charging him.

Murtha's strong advocacy for military spending during tough budget times ingratiated him among service chiefs and their civilian leaders. Last year, departing Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter awarded Murtha its highest civilian honor, the Distinguished Public Service Award.

Murtha was a former enlisted Marine who earned his commission in the mid-1950s and served in the Reserves until 1966 when he was activated for duties in Vietnam. During his service there as an intelligence officer, Murtha earned a Bronze Star with combat V and two purple hearts. He was the first Vietnam combat veteran elected to Congress, his biography says.

Associate Editor Bryant Jordan contributed to this report.