Audie Murphy was an American soldier, actor, and songwriter who served during World War II.

He is one of the most decorated American soldiers of the war, having received numerous awards for his bravery, including the Medal of Honor.

After the war, he became a popular film actor, appearing in 44 films and TV series. He is remembered for his courage, bravery and service to his country, and is considered a legendary hero by many.

Early Life Leading up Military Service

Audie Murphy was born on June 20, 1924, in Kingston, Texas. He was the seventh of twelve children born to poor sharecroppers.

His father died when he was young, and his mother struggled to provide for the family, which led to Audie and his siblings often going without food or proper clothing.

Despite these hardships, Audie was an excellent student and was known for his athletic ability. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he dropped out of school and tried to enlist in the military, but was rejected due to his age and small stature.

Eventually, he was accepted into the Army and deployed to Europe, where he served with distinction and earned numerous awards for his bravery.

Service During World War II

During World War II, Audie Murphy served in Europe as a soldier in the United States Army. He fought in several major battles, distinguishing himself as a legendary warfighter.

Invasion of Sicily

During the invasion of Sicily, Audie Murphy served as a private first class in the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division.

He saw combat in several engagements, including the Battle of Troina, where he and his unit were tasked with capturing a strategic hill.

During the battle, Murphy climbed atop a burning tank destroyer and used its machine gun to hold off a German counterattack, allowing his fellow soldiers to evacuate their wounded and reposition themselves.

This act of bravery earned him one of his first awards for valor, the Bronze Star Medal.

Battle of Anzio

During the Battle of Anzio, Audie Murphy served with the 3rd Infantry Division.

Anzio was a major battle of the Italian Campaign, and Murphy's unit was tasked with landing on the beachhead at Anzio and establishing a perimeter to secure the area.

During the battle, Murphy displayed great bravery, leading his men on multiple occasions to repel German counterattacks.

He also personally destroyed several enemy machine gun nests and enemy tanks with his grenade launcher and anti-tank weapons. These actions earned him several awards for valor, including the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star Medal.

The Battle of Anzio was a difficult and complex battle, and Murphy's bravery and leadership played a crucial role in the eventual Allied victory.

Battle of the Bulge

The Battle of the Bulge was a major battle fought in the Ardennes forest in Belgium, and it was the largest battle fought by the United States during World War II.

Murphy's unit was tasked with holding the line against a major German counteroffensive after the Battle of the Bulge. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Murphy rallied his men and led them in several successful counterattacks against the enemy.

He personally took out several enemy tanks and machine gun nests, and even climbed onto the roof of a burning building to direct artillery fire on enemy positions.

His bravery and leadership helped turn the tide of the battle and contributed to the eventual Allied victory. Murphy's actions during the Battle of the Bulge earned him several more awards for valor, including the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star Medal.

Battle of Holtzwihr

During the Battle of Holtzwihr in France, Audie Murphy served as a second lieutenant in the 3rd Infantry Division after receiving a battlefield commission. These promotions are rare in the military, but well deserved by Murphy.

On January 26, 1945, Murphy and his unit were defending against a German infantry attack. Despite being wounded in the leg, Murphy climbed atop a burning tank destroyer and used its machine gun to hold off the enemy advance, allowing his fellow soldiers to evacuate their wounded and regroup.

Murphy continued to fire the machine gun until he ran out of ammunition, at which point he used his pistol to fend off the enemy until reinforcements arrived.

This act of bravery earned him the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration, as well as several other awards for valor.

The Battle of Holtzwihr was a significant engagement in the European Theater of World War II, and Murphy's actions helped turn the tide of the battle and contributed to the eventual Allied victory.

Decorations

Murphy's actions during the battles he served in throughout the war earned him a reputation as a fearless and capable soldier, and helped pave the way for his eventual recognition as one of the most decorated American soldiers of World War II.

Audie L. Murphy received the following decorations for his bravery and service during World War II:

Medal of Honor: The highest military decoration in the United States, awarded for acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Holtzwihr in France.

Distinguished Service Cross: The second highest military decoration in the United States, awarded for extraordinary heroism while engaged in military operations against an enemy of the United States.

Silver Star Medal: A military decoration awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.

Bronze Star Medal: A military decoration awarded for heroic or meritorious service or achievement in a combat zone.

Purple Heart: A military decoration awarded to those wounded or killed while serving in the U.S. military.

Good Conduct Medal: A military decoration awarded to enlisted members of the U.S. military for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity while serving on active duty.

American Campaign Medal: A military decoration awarded for service in the American theater of operations during World War II.

European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal: A military decoration awarded for service in the European-African-Middle Eastern theater of operations during World War II.

World War II Victory Medal: A military decoration awarded for service during World War II.

Combat Infantryman Badge: A military badge awarded to infantrymen and Special Forces soldiers who have engaged in combat.

French Croix de Guerre with Silver Star: A military decoration awarded by the French government for acts of heroism in battle.

French Legion of Honor, grade of Chevalier: A French military decoration awarded for outstanding service to France.

French Fourragere in Colors of the Croix de Guerre: A military decoration awarded by the French government for acts of bravery in battle.

Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 Palm: A military decoration awarded by the Belgian government for acts of heroism in battle.

Belgian Fourragere 1940: A military decoration awarded by the Belgian government for acts of bravery in battle.

Life After the war

After serving in World War II, Audie L. Murphy returned to the United States and was hailed as a hero. He was widely recognized for his bravery and decorated with numerous medals.

In the years following the war, Murphy pursued a successful career in Hollywood as an actor, appearing in more than 40 films and television shows.

Some of his most notable film roles include "To Hell and Back" (1955), which was based on his own memoir, and "The Red Badge of Courage" (1951), a war film directed by John Huston.

He also appeared in several Westerns and war films throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

Aside from his acting career, Murphy also became involved in various business ventures and was an active supporter of several veteran's organizations. He also wrote several books, including an autobiography and a novel.

Audie L. Murphy was married twice in his life. His first marriage was to Wanda Hendrix, a fellow actor, in 1949. However, the couple divorced in 1951.

Murphy's second marriage was to Pamela Archer, a secretary, in 1956. The couple had two children together, a son named Terry and a daughter named James.

Throughout his life, Murphy remained a dedicated and patriotic American, serving as a symbol of bravery and courage for generations of Americans.

Tragic Ending

Audie L. Murphy died on May 28, 1971, at the age of 45 in a plane crash. He was flying in a private aircraft near Roanoke, Virginia, when the plane crashed into a mountain.

The cause of the crash was never determined, but it is believed that the plane ran out of fuel or experienced some other type of mechanical failure.

Murphy's death was a shock to the nation, and he was remembered as a hero and a symbol of bravery. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and inducted into the Hall of Heroes at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Murphy's legacy continues to live on, and he is remembered as one of the most decorated soldiers of World War II and one of the greatest heroes of American military history.

His life and his actions on the battlefield serve as a testament to the bravery and courage of the American soldier and the sacrifices made by those who have served in the U.S. military.

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