Maj. Audie Leon Murphy

A legend in his own time, Audie Murphy was the most decorated American Army soldier of World War II who went on to become a celebrated movie star for over two decades in the post-war era, appearing in 44 films. He received the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military's highest award for valor, along with 32 additional U.S. and foreign medals and citations, including five from France and one from Belgium. Murphy's successful movie career included To Hell and Back (1955), based on his book of the same title (1949). He lived only 46 years, but he made a lasting imprint on American history.

Audie Leon Murphy was born on a sharecropper's farm in North Texas on June 20, 1924, the seventh of twelve children born to Emmett Berry Murphy and his wife, Josie Bell Killian. Three of Murphy's siblings died before his birth, and by 1934 Emmett Murphy had abandoned his wife and children during the first years of the Depression.

Murphy's life from his earliest years was one of hard work and extreme poverty: as soon as he was able to carry a pail he was responsible for helping to milk cows and seed fields. He chopped cotton for one dollar a day and was noted for his feats of derring-do and his accuracy with a gun. By the age of 10 Murphy was the oldest child at home and was caring for his five younger siblings. When Murphy's mother, Josie Killian Murphy died in 1941 at the age of 50, he became a surrogate father and sole support for the younger children at the age of 16. In agreement with his older sister, Corrinne, Murphy placed his three youngest siblings, Nadine, Billie, and Joe, in an orphanage to ensure their care (he reclaimed them after World War II).

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.

Murphy 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. Murphy 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.

His accomplishments are still commemorated in a variety of ways that range from his native Hunt County's annual Audie Murphy Day celebration to his induction into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Country Music Association of Texas. His name also appears on a VA hospital, a library room, a stretch of U.S. Highway 69 in Texas, and a San Antonio division of the Army. The medals and awards of Audie Murphy are on display at the Dallas Scottish Rite Temple Museum (500 South Harwood Street, Dallas, TX 75201) and the China Room of the 15th Infantry Regiment (Kelley Hill, Fort Benning, Georgia). For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Audie Murphy has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1601 Vine Street.

Medal of Honor citation

'''The official U.S. Army citation for Murphy's Medal of Honor reads:'''

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company B 15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Holtzwihr France, January 26, 1945. Entered service at: Dallas, Texas. Birth: Hunt County, near Kingston, Texas, G.O. No. 65, August 9, 1944. Citation: Second Lt. Murphy commanded Company B, which was attacked by six tanks and waves of infantry. 2d Lt. 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. 2d Lt. Murphy continued to direct artillery fire, which killed large numbers of the advancing enemy infantry. With the enemy tanks abreast of his position, 2d Lt. Murphy climbed on the burning tank destroyer, which was in danger of blowing up at any moment, and employed its .50 caliber machine gun against the enemy. He was alone and exposed to 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 2d Lt. Murphy, but he continued to hold his position and wiped out a squad that 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 his single-handed fight until his ammunition was exhausted. He then made his way back 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 killed or wounded about 50. 2d Lt. 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

Sources: Wikipedia, IMDB, Arlington National Cemetery

• en.wikipedia... ; findagrave.... ;

Early life

• Audie Leon Murphy was born the seventh of twelve children to Emmett Berry Murphy and his wife Josie Bell Killian on 20 June 1925, in Kingston, Hunt County, Texas.[ALM 1] The Murphys were sharecroppers of Irish descent.

Personal life

• Murphy married actress Wanda Hendrix on 8 January 1949,[166] and their divorce became final on 19 April 1951.[167] Four days later he married former airline stewardess Pamela Archer.[168] Son Terry Michael Murphy was born in 1952.[169][170] Son James Shannon "Skipper" Murphy was born in 1954.[171]
• Audie Murphy was the most decorated American soldier in World War II.
• http://ww2gravestone.com/people/murphy-audie-leon/

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From rootsweb:

Audie Murphy is the most decorated soldier in American Hist ory.

Awards are: Congressional Medal of Honor June 2, 1945 Distinguished Service Cross ETO Campaign ribbon With Seven Battle Stars Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster Expert Infantryman's Badge Legion of Merit French Legion of Honor Chevalier, Bronze Star Three Purple Hearts The French Croix de Guirre with Two Palm Branches French Fourragere President Unit Citation.

Audie played himself in the 1955 film, "To Hell and Back" b ased on the autobiography he wrote, and the book Audie Murp hy, American Soldier written by Colonel Harold B. Simpson.

MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION: 2d Lt. Murphy commanded Company B , which was attacked by 6 tanks and waves of infantry, 2d Lt Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to prepared positions in a woods, while he remained forward at his command pot and continued to give fire directions to the artillery by telephone. Behind him, to his right, 1 of our tank destroyers received a direct hit and began to burn. Its crew withdrew to the wood s. 2d Lt Murphy continued to direct artillery fire which killed large numbers of the advancing enemy infantry. With the enemy tanks abreast of his position, 2d Lt. Murphy climbed on the burning tank destroyer, which was in danger of blowing up at any moment, and employed its .50 caliber machine gun against the enemy. He was alone and exposed to German fire from 3 sides, but his deadly fire killed dozens of Germans and the Germans tried every available weapon to eliminate 2d Lt. Murphy, but he continued to hold his position and wiped out a squad which was trying to creep up unnoticed o n 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 killed or wounded about 50. 2d L t 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. Burial: June 07 1971 Arlington National Cemetery Military Service: Between 1942 - 1945, WW II

Audie Murphy ( 1924 - 1971 ) American Actor/Decorated War Hero -- Audie Leon Murphy, son of poor Texas sharecroppers, rose to national fame as the most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II. After the war, Actor James Cagney saw Murphy’s photo on the cover of Life Magazine and invited him to Hollywood in 1945. In the 25 years he spent in Hollywood, he made 44 feature films. Cause of Death: Airplane Crash Audie Murphy had a brother who was put in Variety Club Boy s Ranch, Bedford, TX.

In 1955, Audie Murphy became interested in Freemasonry. Encouraged by his close friend, Texas theater owner Skipper Cherry, Audie petitioned and joined the Masonic Order in California. Later he returned to Texas to conduct his 32 degree work where he joined the Shriner's. Audie remained active in various masonic events and was a member of good standing at the time of his death.

Audie received his first degree in Masonry when he was regularly initiated, February 14, 1955 through the North Hollywood (California) Lodge No. 542 F & AM (Ancient Free and Accepted Masons). He was passed to the 2d degree of Fellowcraft on April 4, 1955. On June 27, 1955, he was raised to the 3d degree of a Master Mason.

Later, he became a dual member with Heritage Lodge No. 764 F & AM (North Hollywood, California) on May 14, 1956.

Audie took his 32d degree work (degrees 4 through 32) at the Scottish Rite Temple in Dallas on November 11-14, 1957 according to records located at this temple. After receiving his 32d degree, Audie was elected vice president of the Thomas B. Hunter Memorial Class of the Dallas Scottish Rite.

Audie became a Shriner (Hella Temple, Dallas) on November 15, 1957. Documentation Freemasonry Application

Audie was made a "Master of the Royal Secret" in the Valley of Dallas, Orient of Texas, on November 14, 1965.

Audie was also decorated a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor (KCCH) on December 11, 1965.

Audie affiliated with the Long Beach (Scottish Rite) Consistory on April 2, 1971. Two weeks previously, on March 19, 1971, Shriner Murphy affiliated with the Al Malaikah Temple in Los Angeles.

Audie often participated in Shrine parades in both Texas and on the West Coast. He was especially involved with the annual Mariner's Night, which included a dinner held in the memory of the dead and to honor the living seafaring men. The annual Mariner's Night is sponsored by San Pedro's Los Angeles Harbor Lodge No. 332, Long Beach California. As an honored guest, Audie made one of his last public speeches for the Mariner's Night Dinner on April 15, 1971.

In 2000, during the November Ladies Night Dinner of the Valley of Long Beach, Audie Murphy was recognized when local Scottish Rite members presented to his widow, Mrs. Pamela Murphy, a 33 degree cap in honor of the posthumous election of her husband to that degree at an earlier Biennial Session of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite.

Harold B. Simpson quoted the Encyclopedia Britannica, in his book AUDIE MURPHY, AMERICAN SOLDIER, as he described Freemasonry as a... "... fraternity to which men called Freemasons belong . . . . It is secret insofar as it has rituals and other matters which those admitted take an oath never to divulge. Its meeting places, however, are prominently identified and its governing bodies publish annual proceedings, while its membership is a matter of public knowledge . . . . It admits adherents of all faiths, claiming to be based upon those fundamentals of religion held in common by all men and to inculcate, through allegories and symbols connected with the art of building, a lofty morality laying particular stress upon benevolence."

Though often mistaken for such, Freemasonry is not a Christian institution. Freemasonry contains many of the elements of a religion; its teachings enjoin morality, charity, and obedience to the law of the land. With this in mind, Freemasonry is religious in character but in itself is not a religion. Find A Grave Memorial# 751

Audie Leon Murphy, born June 20, 1925*, the seventh of 12 children. His father abandoned the family in 1934. At 15 his mother died. He quit school to help support the family. He became a crack rifle shot to put food on the table, and he held the family together as the senior male., rose to national fame as the most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II. Among his 33 awards and decorations was the Medal of Honor, the highest military award for bravery that can be given to any individual in the United States of America, for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty." He also received every decoration for valor that his country had to offer, some of them more than once, including 5 decorations by France and Belgium. Credited with either killing over 240 of the enemy while wounding and capturing many others, he became a legend within the 3rd Infantry Division. He enlisted at age 17 , 115 lbs, 5 foot 5 inches, as an Army Private, Audie quickly rose to the enlisted rank of Staff Sergeant, was given a "battle field" commission as 2nd Lieutenant, was wounded three times, fought in 9 major campaigns across the European Theater, and survived the war. His U. S. Army service covered nine World War II campaigns fought by the 3rd Infantry Division: Tunisia, Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Ardennes-Alsace, Rhineland and Central Europe.

During Murphy's 3 years active service as a combat soldier in World War II, Audie became one of the best fighting combat soldiers of this or any other century. What Audie accomplished during this period is most significant and probably will never be repeated by another soldier, given today's high-tech type of warfare.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_career_of_Audie_Murphy

His first starring role came in a 1949 released film by Allied Artists called, Bad Boy. In 1950 Murphy eventually got a contract with Universal-International (later called Universal) where he starred in 26 films, 23 of them westerns over the next 15 years. Henry Fleming in the film adaptation of Stephen Crane’s Civil War novel, The Red Badge of Courage. Unlike Murphy in real life Fleming had doubts of his own personal courage and ran from battle, before finally finding it within himself to act courageously. The second role saw Murphy portraying himself in To Hell and Back, based on his best selling (and ghost written) autobiography. Though his actions are duly chronicled, Murphy in no way appears to be seeking self-aggrandizement in either book or film as the loss of numerous of his friends and their equal courage is depicted. The movie, To Hell and Back, held the record as Universal's highest grossing picture until 1975 when it was finally surpassed by the movie Jaws. In the mid-60s the studios switched from contract players to hiring actors on a picture-by-picture basis. Consequently, when his contract expired in 1965 Universal did not renew. This gave him the opportunity to work with other studios and independent film producers. In the 25 years that Audie spent in Hollywood, he made a total of 44 feature films. Audie also filmed a 26 episode western television series, known as Whispering Smith which aired on NBC in 1961.

Despite his success in Hollywood, Audie never forgot his rural roots. He returned frequently to the Dallas area where he owned a small ranch for a while. He also had ranches in Perris, California and near Tucson, Arizona. He was a successful Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racehorse owner and breeder, having interests in such great horses as "Depth Charge." His films earned him close to 3 million dollars in 23 years as an actor. Audie loved to gamble, and he bet on horses and different sporting events. He was also a great poker player. In his role as a prodigious gambler, he won and lost fortunes.

Audie Murphy was quite successful as a songwriter. Dozens of Audie Murphy's songs were recorded and released by such great performers as Dean Martin, Eddy Arnold, Charley Pride, Jimmy Bryant, Porter Waggoner, Jerry Wallace, Roy Clark, Harry Nilsson and many, many others. His two biggest hits were Shutters and Boards and When the Wind Blows in Chicago. Eddy Arnold recorded When the Wind Blows in Chicago for his 1993 album Last of the Love Song Singers which is currently in release by RCA.

Audie suffered from what is now known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)and was plagued by insomnia and depression. He publicly called for United States government to give more consideration and study to the emotional impact war has on veterans and to extend health care benefits to address PTSD and other mental health problems of returning war vets. May 28, 1971, (Memorial Day Weekend) he was killed at the age of 45*. A private plane flying in fog and rain crashed in the side of a mountain near Roanoke, Virginia. On June 7th, Audie Murphy was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. His gravesite, near the Amphitheater, is second most visited gravesite year round. President Kennedy's grave is the most visited.

On October 29, 2013, Governor Rick Perry posthumously awarded the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor in Farmersville, Texas to Audie Murphy by presenting it to his only surviving sibling, Nadine Murphy in a ceremony held in Farmersville, Texas.

"There are no atheists on the battlefield" The Angel of the Lord tarrieth about those who fear him and deliver them [Ps 34] Alone and far removed from earthly care The noble ruins of men lie buried here. You were strong men, good men. Endowed with youth, and much the will to live I hear no protests from the mute lips of the dead. They rest, there is no more to give. So long my comrades. Sleep ye where you fell upon the field. But tread softly please March oer my heart with ease March on and on. But to God alone we kneel. [Audie Murphy]