Person:Audie Murphy (2)

Audie Murphy Dies in Airplane Crash by Bill Baskervill, Associated Press

https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Notable-Graves/Prominent-Military-Figures/Audie-Murphy

Biography of Audie Murphy

Grave of Audie Murphy
He wanted to join the Marines, but he was too short. The paratroopers wouldn't have him either. Reluctantly, he settled on the infantry, enlisting to become nothing less than one of the most-decorated heroes of World War II. He was Audie Murphy, the baby-faced Texas farmboy who became an American Legend. Murphy grew up on a sharecropper's farm in Hunt County, Texas. Left at a very young age to help raise 10 brothers and sisters when his father deserted their mother, Audie was only 16 when his mother died. He watched as his brothers and sisters were doled out to an orphanage or to relatives.

Seeking an escape from that life in 1942, he looked to the Marines. War had just been declared and, like so many other young men, Murphy lied about his age in his attempt to enlist. But it was not his age that kept him out of the Marines; it was his size. Not tall enough to meet the minimum requirements, he tried to enlist in the paratroopers, but again was denied entrance. Despondent, he chose the infantry.

First Lt. Audie Murphy
Following basic training Murphy was assigned to the 15th Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division in North Africa preparing to invade Sicily. It was there in 1943 that he first saw combat, proving himself to be a proficient marksman and highly skilled soldier, consistently his performance demonstrated how well he understood the techniques of small-unit action. He landed at Salerno to fight in the Voltuno river campaign and then at Anzio to be part of the Allied force that fought its way to Rome. Throughout these campaigns, Murphy's skills earned him advancements in rank, because many of his superior officers were being transferred, wounded or killed. After the capture of Rome, Murphy earned his first decoration for gallantry.

Shortly thereafter his unit was withdrawn from Italy to train for Operation Anvil-Dragoon, the invasion of southern France. During seven weeks of fighting in that successful campaign, Murphy's division suffered 4,500 casualties, and he became one of the most decorated men in his company. But his biggest test was yet to come.

On Jan. 26, 1945, near the village of Holtzwihr in eastern France, Lt. Murphy's forward positions came under fierce attack by the Germans. Against the onslaught of six Panzer tanks and 250 infantrymen, Murphy ordered his men to fall back to better their defenses. Alone, he mounted an abandoned burning tank destroyer and, with a single machine gun, contested the enemy's advance. Wounded in the leg during the heavy fire, Murphy remained there for nearly an hour, repelling the attack of German soldiers on three sides and single-handedly killing 50 of them. His courageous performance stalled the German advance and allowed him to lead his men in the counterattack which ultimately drove the enemy from Holtzwihr. For this Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for gallantry in action.

By the war's end, Murphy had become the nation's most-decorated soldier, earning an unparalleled 28 medals, including three from France and one from Belgium. Murphy had been wounded three times during the war, yet, in May 1945, when victory was declared in Europe, he had still not reached his 21st birthday.

Audie Murphy returned to a hero's welcome in the United States. His photograph appeared on the cover of Life magazine and he was persuaded by actor James Cagney to embark on an acting career. Still very shy and unassuming, Murphy arrived in Hollywood with only his good looks and — by his own account — 'no talent.' Nevertheless, he went on to make more than 40 films. His first part was just a small one in Beyond Glory in 1948. The following year he published his wartime memoirs, To Hell and Back, which received good reviews. Later he portrayed himself in the 1955 movie version of the book. Many film critics, however, believe his best performance was in Red Badge of Courage, Stephen Crane's Civil War epic.

After nearly 20 years he retired from acting and started a career in private business. But the venture was unsuccessful, eventually forcing him into bankruptcy in 1968. Murphy, who once said that he could only sleep with a loaded pistol under his pillow, was haunted by nightmares of his wartime experiences throughout his adult life. In 1971, at the age of 46, he died in the crash of a private plane near Roanoke, Va.

Audie Murphy is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, just across Memorial Drive from the Memorial Amphitheater. A special flagstone walkway has been constructed to accommodate the large number of people who stop to pay their respects to this hero. At the end of a row of graves, his tomb is marked by a simple, white, government-issue tombstone, which lists only a few of his many military decorations. The stone is, as he was, too small.

DoDNews
Senior Enlisted Leader, Namesake Club Honor Audie Murphy
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service
ARLINGTON, Va., June 21, 2012 – The military’s top enlisted member joined a local chapter of the Sgt. Audie L. Murphy Club here yesterday in honoring the club’s namesake on his birthday.
An honor guard soldier places a wreath next to the grave of Medal of Honor recipient Army Maj. Audie L. Murphy as Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, far left, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Military District of Washington chapter of the Sgt. Audie L. Murphy Club, pay tribute on the World War II hero’s birthday at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., June 20, 2012. DOD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joined the Military District of Washington Sergeant Audie L. Murphy Club in a wreath-laying ceremony to pay tribute to the American war hero, a Medal of Honor recipient, who is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
“Eighty-eight years ago today,” Battaglia said at the event, “we see a young man like Audie Leon Murphy who would become such a great American hero … through his life – especially the life he served protecting our nation. [It’s] quite impressive.”
Battaglia noted that Murphy attained the rank of staff sergeant just a year and a half after joining the Army. He received a battlefield commission in October 1944, and rose to the rank of major.
“[But] Sergeant Audie Murphy wasn’t someone about awards,” Battaglia said. “He was about taking care of his men and women and getting the mission accomplished. And that’s why I say … it’s befitting of me to … recognize Sergeant Audie Murphy on his birthday, a very monumental date in the history of our … armed forces. But [I’m also here to] thank the members of his club and the loyal and dedicated soldiers that continue to serve honorably and with distinguished contributions and volunteerism throughout their communities and neighborhoods.”
Battaglia was joined by Army Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Taylor, president of the local chapter, who serves in the Office of the Secretary of Defense Mess.
“It is my honor today to honor the leader of our charge in the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club – Audie Leon Murphy,” she said. “Today would be his 88th birthday. We welcome you all.”
Other club members played prominent roles during the ceremony, including treasurer Army Staff Sgt. Tanner Welch, who recited Murphy’s biography.
“Audie Murphy was killed in a plane crash on a mountain top in Roanoke, Va., May 28, 1971,” Welch said. “Fittingly, his body was recovered two days later on Memorial Day.”
“Audie may have been the last American war hero,” he added. “He was the best combat soldier in the 200-plus year history of the United States.”
Battaglia said Audie Murphy is buried next to “thousands and thousands of great American service men and women,” but is special in his own right.
“I think his service in the Army goes beyond just that in the Army,” he said after the ceremony, reflecting on what he has read about Murphy. “I’d like it to resonate throughout all the services. He wasn’t worried about awards and decorations. The man was there to accomplish a mission, he was there to protect his country, and he was there to protect his men and women. And that’s all he really cared about.”
Club member Army Master Sgt. Flora McKnight, operations officer for the Military District of Washington, agreed with the sergeant major.
“We do this in order to honor Sergeant Audie Murphy,” she said. “Through his abilities as a noncommissioned officer, he took care of soldiers, and that’s what we do – we take care of soldiers and give back to the community.
“Through selflessness … we have an opportunity to give back to others and to show others the correct way doing that,” McKnight continued. “The selflessness comes from us giving back to our community – not only the military community, but our civilian community -- because we all form a bond.”
Battaglia noted a personal connection. He served a year-long deployment in Iraq, starting in February 2007, with one of the 3rd Infantry Division brigades to which Murphy was assigned.
“He set a legacy that carries on today. … I think all of our service members, not just soldiers … can use Audie Murphy as an example to emulate,” Battaglia said.
Biographies:
Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia
A wreath stands next to the grave of Medal of Honor recipient Maj. Audie L. Murphy, best known for his exploits as a sergeant during World War II, at Arlington National Cemetery, June 20, 2012. The top senior enlisted leader in the military, Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, joined the Military District of Washington chapter of the Sgt. Audie L. Murphy Club to honor Murphy on what would have been his 88th birthday. DOD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
Army Maj. Audie L. Murphy, best known for his exploits as a sergeant during World War II, is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. DOD photo by Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
http://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=116845

Sergeant Audie Murphy Club
Biography of Sergeant Audie Murphy
Sergeant Audie Murphy
Audie Leon Murphy was a legend in his own time. He was 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.

Murphy was born on a sharecropper’s farm in Texas on June 20, 1924. As a boy, he chopped cotton for $1 a day and was noted for his feats of derring-do and his accuracy with a gun. He had only five 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 at 5 feet 5 inches tall and underweight at 110 pounds, he enlisted in the U.S. Army a few days after his 18th birthday. After basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas, and advance training at Fort George G. Meade, Md., Murphy was sent overseas. He was assigned to the famous 15th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division and fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany. He earned a battlefield commission for his courage and leadership ability as well as citations and decorations including every medal for valor that America awarded.

He was also awarded one Belgian and three French medals. Lieutenant Audie Murphy is the most decorated Soldier in American history. Discharged from the U.S. Army Sept. 21, 1945, Murphy 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 producer. He acted in 44 films and starred in 39. Most of his movies were westerns. His best known film was, “To Hell and Back,” adapted from the best-selling book by the same name based on his experiences. In 1955, Murphy was voted the Most Popular Western Actor in America by the Motion Picture Exhibitors. Murphy also wrote lyrics to 16 country and small western songs.

Sergeant Audie Murphy
The most popular was “Shutters and Boards,” written by Scott Turner in 1962. Over 30 popular singers, including Jerry Wallace, Dean Martin and Porter Waggoner, recorded the song. He was an accomplished poet, unfortunately, only a few of his poems have survived. In 1950, Murphy joined the 36th Infantry Division (“T-Patchers”) of the Texas National Guard and served with it until 1966. Murphy was killed in a plane crash on a mountaintop near Roanoke, Vir., May 28, 1971. Fittingly, his body was recovered two days later on Memorial Day. Murphy could very well be the last American war hero. He is considered the greatest combat Soldier in the more than the 230 year history of the United States.
http://www.usarj.army.mil/misc/samc/

Lieutenant Audie Murphy is the most decorated Soldier in American history.

https://home.army.mil/lee/index.php/about/Garrison/sergeant-audie-murphy-award
Sgt. Audie Murphy Award

Audie Leon Murphy, son of poor Texas sharecroppers, rose to national fame as the most decorated U.S. combat soldier ofAudie Murphy 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 both killing over 240 of the enemy while wounding and capturing many others, he became a legend within the 3rd Infantry Division. Beginning his service 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.

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. The U.S. Army has always declared that there will never be another Audie Murphy.

On 21 September, 1945, Audie was released from the Army as an active member and reassigned to inactive status. During this same time, actor James Cagney invited Murphy to Hollywood in September 1945, when he saw Murphy's photo on the cover of Life Magazine. The next couple of years in California were hard times for Audie Murphy. Struggling and becoming disillusioned from lack of work while sleeping in a local gymnasium, he finally received token acting parts in his first two films.

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. His 1949 autobiography To Hell and Back was a best seller. Murphy starred as himself in a film biography released by Universal-International in 1955 with the same title. 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.

Despite his success in Hollywood, Audie never forgot his rural Texas 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 wrote some poetry and was quite successful as a songwriter. He usually teamed up with talented artists and composers such as Guy Mitchell, Jimmy Bryant, Scott Turner, Coy Ziegler, or Terri Eddleman. 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. During the mid-60's he became dependent for a time on doctor prescribed sleeping pills called Placidyl. When he recognized that he had become addicted to this prescription drug, he locked himself in a motel room, stopped taking the sleeping pills and went through withdrawal symptoms for a week. Always an advocate for the needs of veterans, he broke the taboo about discussing war related mental problems after this experience. In an effort to draw attention to the problems of returning Korean and Vietnam War veterans, Audie Murphy spoke-out candidly about his personal problems with PTSD, then known as "Battle Fatigue". 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.

While on a business trip on May 28, 1971, (Memorial Day Weekend) he was killed at the age of 46. A private plane flying in fog and rain crashed in the side of a mountain near Roanoke, Virginia. Five others including the pilot were also killed. Although Audie owned and flew his own plane earlier in his career at Hollywood, he was among the passengers that tragic day.

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.

In 1996 the Texas Legislature officially designated his birthday, June 20th, as Audie Murphy Day. On June 9, 1999 Governor George W. Bush, Texas made a similar proclamation declaring June 20th to officially be Audie Murphy Day in the state of Texas.

The New York Times. (New York, New York), 20 Jun 2013.
"Audie Murphy, a Texas Hero Still Missing One Medal" by Jay Root. Audie Murphy's sister Nadine Lokey and her husband, Kenneth Lokey, live in Farmersville, Texas.

Medal of Honor
MURPHY, AUDIE L.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company B 1 5th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division
Place and date: Near Holtzwihr France, 26 January 1945
Entered service at: Dallas, Tex.
G.O. No.. 65, 9 August 1945
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 post 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 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 machinegun against the enemy. He was alone and exposed to German fire from 3 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 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 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.

U.S., War Department, Press Releases and Related Records, 1942-1945

View U.S., War Department, Press Releases and Related Records, 1942-1945
Name: Audie L Murphy
Rank: First Lieutenant
Age: 21
Record Type: Press Release
Birth Year: abt 1924
Residence Place: Farmersville, Texas, USA
Event Date: 26 Jan 1945

View Virginia, Death Records, 1912-2014
Name: Audie Leon Murphy
Gender: Male
Race: White
Death Age: 46
Birth Date: 20 Jun 1924
Death Date: 28 May 1971
Death Place: New Castle, Craig, Virginia, USA
Registration Date: 14 Jun 1971
Father: Emmet Murphy
Spouse: Pamela Archer
Military Status: WWII
Source Citation
Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, Virginia; Virginia Deaths, 1912-2014

Source Information
Ancestry.com. Virginia, Death Records, 1912-2014 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

1930 United States Federal Census

View 1930 United States Federal Census
View blank form
Name: Audie Murphy
Birth Year: abt 1924
[20 June 1925]
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Texas
Marital status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1930: Precinct 2, Hunt, Texas, USA
Map of Home: View Map
Dwelling Number: 110
Family Number: 110
Attended School: No
Father's Birthplace: Texas
Mother's Birthplace: Texas
Household Members:
Name Age
Emmitt Murphy 41
Josie Murphy 38
Corine Murphy 19
Charlie Murphy 17
June Murphy 11
Audie Murphy 6
Richard Murphy 4
Eugene Murphy 1