The highest decorated soldier in American history.

[Silver Fox]

Audie Leon Murphy was a legend in his own time. A war hero, movie actor, writer of country and western songs, and poet. His biography reads more like fiction than fact. He lived only 46 years, but he made a lasting imprint on American history. Audie was born on a sharecropper's farm in North Texas on June 20, 1924. As a boy, he chopped cotton for one dollar a day and was noted for his feats of derring-do and his accuracy with a gun. He had only 5 years of schooling and was orphaned at age 16. After being refused enlistment during World War II in both the Marines and Paratroopers for being too small (5'5") and underweight (110 lbs), he enlisted in the U.S. Army a few days after his 18th birthday. After basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas, and advanced training at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, Audie was sent overseas. He was assigned to the famous 15th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division where he fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. He earned a battlefields commission for his courage and leadership ability as well as citations and decorations including every medal for valor that America gives. He was also awarded three French and one Belgian medal. Lieutenant Audie Murphy was the highest decorated soldier in American history. Discharged from the Army on September 21, 1945, Audie went to Hollywood at the invitation of movie star James Cagney. He remained in California for the rest of his life and was closely associated with the movie industry, both as an actor and a producer. He acted in 44 films, starring in 39 of them. His best known film was "To Hell and Back," adopted from the best selling book of his war experiences by the same name. Most of his movies were westerns. In 1955, Audie Murphy was voted the Most Popular Western Actor in America by the Motion Picture Exhibitors. Audie wrote the lyrics to 16 country and western songs, the most popular of which was "Shutters and Boards," written with Scott Turner in 1962. The song was recorded by over 30 pop singers, including Jerry Wallace, Dean Martin, and Porter Waggoner. He was an accomplished poet; unfortunately, only a few of his poems have survived. In 1950 Audie joined the 36th Infantry Division ("T-Patchers") of the Texas National Guard and served with it until 1966. He was a Mason and a Shriner and belonged to several veterans organizations. Audie Murphy was killed in a plane crash on a mountain top near Roanoke, Virginia on May 28, 1971. Fittingly, his body was recovered 2 days later on Memorial Day. Audie could very well be the last American war hero. He was the greatest combat soldier in the 200 year plus history of the United States.

General Orders No. 65 WAR DEPARTMENT
Washington 25, D.C., 9 August 1945

MEDAL OF HONOR. - By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved 9 July 1918 (WD Bul. 43, 1918), a Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty was awarded by the War Department in the name of Congress to the following-named officer:

Second Lieutenant Audie L. Murphy, 01692509, 15th Infantry, Army of the United States, on 26 January 1945, near Holtzwihr, France, commanded Company B, which was attacked by six tanks and waves of infantry. Lieutenant Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to a prepared position in a woods while he remained forward at his command post and continued to give fire directions to the artillery by telephone. Behind him to his right one of our tank destroyers received a direct hit and began to burn. Its crew withdrew to the woods. Lieutenant Murphy continued to direct artillery fire which killed large numbers of the advancing enemy infantry. With the enemy tanks abreast of his position, Lieutenant Murphy climbed on the burning tank destroyer which was in danger of blowing up any instant and employed its .50 caliber machine gun against the enemy. He was alone and exposed to the German fire from three sides, but his deadly fire killed dozens of Germans and caused their infantry attack to waver. The enemy tanks, losing infantry support, began to fall back. For an hour the Germans tried every available weapon to eliminate Lieutenant Murphy, but he continued to hold his position and wiped out a squad which was trying to creep up unnoticed on his right flank. Germans reached as close as 10 yards only to be mowed down by his fire. He received a leg wound but ignored it and continued the single-handed fight until his ammunition was exhausted. He then made his way to his company, refused medical attention, and organized the company in a counterattack which forced the Germans to withdraw. His directing of artillery fire wiped out many of the enemy; he personally killed or wounded about 50. Lieutenant Murphy's indomitable courage and his refusal to give an inch of ground saved his company from possible encirclement and destruction and enabled it to hold the woods which had been the enemy's objective.
* * * * * *
BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:

OFFICIAL: G.C. MARSHALL
EDWARD F. WITSELL Chief of Staff
Major General
Acting The Adjutant General

[Switchback]

What? DId you just watch To Hell and Back? I LOVE that movie... and Audie Murphy... especially all of his old westerns.

[Reconciler]

Thanks for posting, Bill. I have seen To Hell and Back (one of my favorite war movies) as well as several of his westerns. He was a great man from a great era of our country.

[Silver Fox]

What? DId you just watch To Hell and Back? I LOVE that movie... and Audie Murphy... especially all of his old westerns.

Nope, haven't seen that film in years and it's one of my favorites too. IMO, Audie Murphy was one of the most amazing and talented men this country has ever produced. The son of poor share croppers, with little or no education and to have accomplished so much during his 46 years.

[Switchback]

I agree, Bill... and, after all he has done, he was modest. He actually wanted to leave a lot (more) out of the movie, as he did not want to be vain and was nto sure people would believe him.

[Silver Fox]

Thanks for posting, Bill. I have seen To Hell and Back (one of my favorite war movies) as well as several of his westerns. He was a great man from a great era of our country.

You're very welcome Sir..I enjoyed posting it, as Audie Murphy was truly a great war hero and one of the most amazing men that have come out of this country since it was first founded.

[Darin]

As noted in the story Audie Murphy was killed in a plane crash in Roanoke County Virginia. There's a memorial for him at the crash site. It is WAAAAAYYYY up in the hills and in the boonies. I've been up there several times on patrol. We get a lot of people doing things they arent supposed to do.

[Silver Fox]

You Tube

[Samuel]

I thought there was another movie about him but finally figured out it was about Alvin York instead (Sergeant York)... duhh

[NoSlak]

" He was the greatest combat soldier in the 200 year plus history of the United States."
Would have to disagree with that line though, it seems to put down anyone else who has ever been in the $4!t and didn't run away or just sit and cry.

[Cat_Doc]

" He was the greatest combat soldier in the 200 year plus history of the United States."
Would have to disagree with that line though, it seems to put down anyone else who has ever been in the $4!t and didn't run away or just sit and cry.

Most highly decorated, sure.

Greatest combat soldier in 200 year plus history of the United States? I agree with you that that cannot be proven or documented. There were an awful lot of unsung heros in our military history.

[MyOwnNemesis]

Most highly decorated, sure.

Greatest combat soldier in 200 year plus history of the United States? I agree with you that that cannot be proven or documented. There were an awful lot of unsung heros in our military history.

Got to chime in and say that anyone that signs the line is a hero and most are unsung.