Audie Leon Murphy (June 20, 1925 – May 28, 1971) was an extraordinary American soldier, actor, and songwriter. His remarkable life story is a testament to courage, resilience, and sacrifice.
Early Life and Military Service: Born into a large family of sharecroppers in Hunt County, Texas, Murphy faced adversity early on. His father abandoned the family, and his mother passed away when he was a teenager. Despite these hardships, Murphy's determination and resourcefulness shone through. He left school in fifth grade to help support his family by picking cotton and using his hunting skills to provide food.
When World War II erupted after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Murphy's older sister helped him falsify his birthdate to meet the minimum age requirement for military enlistment. Initially turned down by the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps for being underweight, he eventually enlisted in the U.S. Army.
Combat Heroism: Murphy's combat journey began in the 1943 Allied invasion of Sicily. Throughout the war, he fought in major campaigns across North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. His actions on the battlefield were nothing short of extraordinary. He killed hundreds of German soldiers, often single-handedly, and displayed unwavering bravery.
One of his most iconic moments was during the Battle of Holzwart in January 1945. At the Colmar Pocket in France, 19-year-old Murphy held off an entire company of German soldiers for an hour. Wounded and out of ammunition, he then led a successful counterattack. For this bravery, he received the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States.
Decorations and Recognitions: Murphy's list of awards and honors is staggering:
· Medal of Honor: Awarded for his actions at the Colmar Pocket.
· Distinguished Service Cross: Recognized for his heroism during the Battle of Anzio.
· Silver Star: Received twice for further acts of bravery.
· Legion of Merit: Acknowledged for his service from 1944 to 1945.
· Bronze Star with "V" Device: Awarded for specific acts of courage.
· Purple Heart: Received three times for wounds suffered in combat.
· French and Belgian Awards: The French government honored him with the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, and he received multiple Croix de Guerre medals.
Despite suffering from illnesses and wounds throughout his service, Murphy's resilience and determination made him one of World War II's most praised and decorated soldiers. His legacy extends beyond the battlefield.
Career and Advocacy Following the War: After the war, Murphy adjusted to civilian life and began a career as an actor in the film industry. "The Red Badge of Courage," "To Hell and Back," and "The Quiet American" are some of the films that he has helped to make famous. His portrayal of himself in the film adaptation of his autobiography, "To Hell and Back," struck a chord with viewers and showed his bravery both on and off the screen.
In addition to this, Murphy advocated for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans and active duty service personnel currently serving in the military. He was aware of the mental toll that fighting had on soldiers, and as a result, he had a tremendous impact on him as a result of the experiences he experienced throughout the war.
Legacy and Honors: Audie Murphy's legacy lives on:
· The Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital in San Antonio honors his contributions.
· Sergeant Audie Murphy Clubs (SAMC) on military bases recognize his impact.
· He joined the Texas National Guard and remained in service until 1969.
A life lived by Audie Murphy is a shining example of bravery, selflessness, and perseverance. His legacy continues to motivate future generations, serving as a constant reminder of the true meaning of the word "hero."
On the side, Audie Leon Murphy was a songwriter. He worked with other people to write several songs, some of which are listed below:
1. "Shutters and Boards" (1962):
· It is a poignant Western-style weeper about a failed relationship and the boarding up of a shared home.
· Various artists, including Jerry Wallace, recorded the hit.
· Co-written with Scott Turner.
1. "When the Wind Blows in Chicago" (1962):
· The song was born from Murphy's casual comment while listening to the howling wind outside his California home.
· Dean Martin, Eddy Arnold, Porter Wagoner, and other country music stars recorded it.
· The song was another successful collaboration with Scott Turner.
1. "My Lonesome Room" (1963):
· Co-written with Guy Mitchell.
· Recorded by Roy Clark.
1. "The Only Light I Ever Need is You" (1963):
· Also co-written with Guy Mitchell.
· Recorded by Jerry Wallace and later by Harry Nilsson.
1. "Big, Big Day Tomorrow" (1964):
· Co-written with Coy Ziegler.
· Recorded by Jerry Wallace.
1. "Round and Round She Goes" (1965):
· Another collaboration with Coy Ziegler.
· Recorded by Jerry Wallace.
1. "Rattle Dance" (1966):
· Co-written and performed by Jimmy Bryant (as Ivy J. Bryant).
1. "Was It All Worth Losing You" (1970):
· Murphy wrote the last song with Terri Eddleman.
· Recorded by Charley Pride.
RESOURCES
AUDIE MURPHY Biography - Military-related figures. http://findbiography.tuspoemas.net/military-related-figures/audie-murphy
Audie Murphy • Height, Weight, Size, Body Measurements, Biography, Wiki, Age. https://bodysize.org/en/audie-murphy/
24+ Sensational Audie Murphy Facts You Must Learn. https://www.interestingfactsworld.com/audie-murphy-facts.html
Sergeant Ronald J. Shurer is the first Special Forces medic to receive a Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. https://thinlinenews.com/sergeant-ronald-j-shurer-first-special-forces-medic-to-receive-medal-of-honor-since-the-vietnam-war/
The Occupation of Veracruz, Mexico, 1914. https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/early-20th-century-conflicts/veracruz-1914.html
Audie Murphy - War Hero, Movie Star & A Tragic Death - Facts Verse. https://factsverse.com/audie-murphy-war-hero-movie-star-a-tragic-death/
Kirk Douglas's My Ten Favorite Western Stars continued– My Favorite Westerns. https://myfavoritewesterns.com/2023/07/23/kirk-douglas-my-ten-favorite-westerns-stars/
2019 INCENTIVE GRANT RECIPIENTS | APhA Foundation. https://www.aphafoundation.org/2019-Incentive-Grant-Ramion
