Audie Leon Murphy

CW5 Jack Cardwell, Audie Murphy's leadership in battle is legendary and his acting skills, commendable, but unfortunately, these skills did not translate into his private life. Separated from his wife, Pamela Opal Lee Murphy, Mr Murphy racked up enormous debt (gambling, bad investments, carousing, etc) until his untimely death in a plane crash in '71.

Pam Murphy went to work at the Sepulveda VA Center, and over the years paid all of her estranged husband's debt. She was the real deal! MS Murphy treated every veteran the same, as though individually, they were the MOH recipient: "She would roam the hallways with her clipboard, greeting each veteran with a “Mister” in front of his name, and mark off the exact time he arrived for his appointment.

If he was still waiting when she made her rounds an hour later, Pam would take him by the hand and march him past the receptionist and into the doctor’s office.

There’d be loud arguments and warnings that she couldn’t do that, but no one ever stopped Audie Murphy’s widow when she got that “don’t fool with me” look in her eyes.

Her boys had fought a war with her husband. Treat them with respect, not disdain, she said. Don’t you dare shine them on.

The vets would be so grateful and honored to be recognized by Audie Murphy’s widow that many of them would have tears in their eyes as they walked up to her later to say “thank you.” Pam would give them a hug.

To these men she was an angel from heaven. To the VA she was a pain in the side."

https://www.dailynews.com/2014/11/06/dennis-mccarthy-remembering-shy-heroine-pam-murphy-on-veterans-day/

I've talked to quite a few folks, including Army Vets who thought Audie was an actor. I had to explain that his first role was playing himself as the Hero he was.

Excellent share Chief.