AUDIE MURPHY
| AGE | 45 YEARS (1945 – 1971) |
| GENDER | MALE |
| OCCUPATION | SOLDIER |
Audie Murphy was the most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II and remains one of the most iconic figures in American military history.
Audie Murphy’s Early Life
Born on June 20, 1925, in Kingston, Texas, Murphy grew up in poverty as one of twelve children in a sharecropping family.
After his father abandoned the family and his mother died in 1941, Murphy left school in the fifth grade to support his siblings by picking cotton and hunting.
Military Career
Murphy enlisted in the U.S. Army in June 1942 at just 17 years old, after being rejected by the Navy, Marine Corps, and Marines for being underweight.
He falsified his age with the help of his sister to meet enlistment requirements.
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He first saw action in the 1943 Allied invasion of Sicily, then in 1944, he participated in the Battle of Anzio, the liberation of Rome, and the invasion of southern France. Murphy fought at Montélimar and led his men on a successful assault at L’Omet quarry near Cleurie in northeastern France in October.
Despite suffering from multiple illnesses and wounds throughout his service, Murphy became one of the most praised and decorated soldiers of World War II, credited with killing 241 enemy soldiers.
Rise to Fame
As the company awaited reinforcements on 26 January, Murphy was made commander of Company B. At about 2 pm that afternoon, German troops and tanks counterattacked, and Murphy ordered his company to withdraw into prepared positions.
The Germans scored a direct hit on an M10 tank destroyer which was stationed near Murphy’s company command post, setting it alight and forcing the crew to abandon it.
Murphy remained alone at his post, shooting his M1 carbine and directing artillery fire via his field radio, while the Germans aimed fire directly at his position.
Murphy mounted the abandoned, burning tank destroyer and began firing its .50 caliber machine gun at the advancing Germans, killing a squad crawling through a ditch towards him.
For an hour, Murphy stood on the flaming tank destroyer, returning German fire from foot soldiers and advancing tanks, and killing or wounding 50 Germans.
He sustained a leg wound during his stand and stopped only after he ran out of ammunition. Murphy rejoined his men, disregarding his own injury, and led them back to repel the Germans. Murphy insisted on remaining with his men while his wounds were treated.
Awards & Honors Awarded to Audie Murphy
By the end of WWII, Murphy had received 33 U.S. and foreign medals, including:
Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star (2), Bronze Star (2), Purple Heart (3), French and Belgian Croix de Guerre.
He is credited with killing or wounding over 240 enemy soldiers.
Acting career & post-traumatic stress
After returning from World War II, Audie Murphy transitioned into a successful acting career, motivated by the overwhelming fame that followed his military service.
In 1949, he published his autobiography, “To Hell and Back”, which became an instant bestseller, paving the way for his film career.
He starred in the film adaptation of his life story in 1955, which became Universal Studio’s highest-grossing picture until 1975. Over the course of his acting career, Murphy appeared in 44 feature films, showcasing his versatility not just as a soldier but also as an entertainer.
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Despite his outward success, Murphy faced significant personal struggles, particularly with mental health.
Plagued by insomnia and nightmares stemming from his experiences in combat, he battled post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) throughout his life.
Struggles with addiction and mental health, combined with poor financial decisions, led to his eventual downfall.
On 28 May 1971, Murphy was killed when the private plane in which he was a passenger crashed into the side of a mountain in conditions of rain, clouds, fog, and zero visibility.
He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, a testament to his legacy as a war hero.
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