Posted on Jan 28, 2021
On this day in 1945, Audie Murphy climbed a burning tank and schwacked Nazis with a 50-cal
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Audie Murphy: The Most Decorated Soldier Ever... Who Later Became a Movie Star
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Thank you my friend MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. for reminding us that on January 28, 1945 U.S. Army 2LT Audie Leon Murphy climbed on top of a burning tank destroyer.
"Discharged from the Army on September 21, 1945, Audie 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 as a producer. He acted in forty-four films, starring in thirty-nine of them. His best known film is "To Hell and Back" adapted from the best selling book of this war experience by the same name. Most of his movies, however, were westerns. Audie Murphy was voted the most popular western actor in America in 1955 by motion picture exhibitors."
Images:
1. 2LT Audie Murphy with his medals and honors
2. Audie Murphy (2nd from left, 2nd row) posing with fellow GI's Photo taken by Capt. Hugh A. O'Neill, surgeon, 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division
3. 2LT Audie Murphy - smiling.
4. Captain Audie Murphy after his return to Paris being awarded France's highest award of valor, the French Legion of Honor.
Audie Murphy: The Most Decorated Soldier Ever... Who Later Became a Movie Star
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3qbqXRyFMk
Background from {[https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/audie-l-murphy]}
"Rank: Second Lieutenant Organization: U.S. Army
Company: Company B Division: 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division
Born: Hunt County, near Kingston, Tex. Departed: Yes
Entered Service At: Dallas, Tex. G.O. Number: 65
Date of Issue: 08/09/1945Accredited To:
Place / Date: Near Holtzwihr France, 26 January 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."
On March 5, 1945, 1st Lieutenant Audie Murphy was called to Nancy, France by order of the 3rd Infantry Division Commander, Major General John "Iron-Mike" O' Daniel. On this day, General O' Daniel presented to 1st Lieutenant Murphy the Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star.
After 'Iron Mike" pinned the medals on Audie's uniform, he pulled out of his pocket a Medal of Honor. Without giving it to Audie, O' Daniel showed the medal to him and stated that General Alexander Patch, the 7th Army Commander, would soon pin it on Audie during a different ceremony.
The Medal of Honor was given to Murphy June 2, 1945 at the airport of Salzburg by General Patch, CG 7th Army. Some members of US-congress where present at this ceremony.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D GySgt Thomas Vick SGT Denny Espinosa SSG Stephen Rogerson SPC Matthew Lamb LTC (Join to see)Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. SFC Chuck Martinez PO1 William "Chip" Nagel PO2 (Join to see) SSG Franklin Briant SPC Woody Bullard TSgt David L. SMSgt David A Asbury MSgt Paul Connors SPC Michael Terrell
"Discharged from the Army on September 21, 1945, Audie 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 as a producer. He acted in forty-four films, starring in thirty-nine of them. His best known film is "To Hell and Back" adapted from the best selling book of this war experience by the same name. Most of his movies, however, were westerns. Audie Murphy was voted the most popular western actor in America in 1955 by motion picture exhibitors."
Images:
1. 2LT Audie Murphy with his medals and honors
2. Audie Murphy (2nd from left, 2nd row) posing with fellow GI's Photo taken by Capt. Hugh A. O'Neill, surgeon, 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division
3. 2LT Audie Murphy - smiling.
4. Captain Audie Murphy after his return to Paris being awarded France's highest award of valor, the French Legion of Honor.
Audie Murphy: The Most Decorated Soldier Ever... Who Later Became a Movie Star
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3qbqXRyFMk
Background from {[https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/audie-l-murphy]}
"Rank: Second Lieutenant Organization: U.S. Army
Company: Company B Division: 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division
Born: Hunt County, near Kingston, Tex. Departed: Yes
Entered Service At: Dallas, Tex. G.O. Number: 65
Date of Issue: 08/09/1945Accredited To:
Place / Date: Near Holtzwihr France, 26 January 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."
On March 5, 1945, 1st Lieutenant Audie Murphy was called to Nancy, France by order of the 3rd Infantry Division Commander, Major General John "Iron-Mike" O' Daniel. On this day, General O' Daniel presented to 1st Lieutenant Murphy the Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star.
After 'Iron Mike" pinned the medals on Audie's uniform, he pulled out of his pocket a Medal of Honor. Without giving it to Audie, O' Daniel showed the medal to him and stated that General Alexander Patch, the 7th Army Commander, would soon pin it on Audie during a different ceremony.
The Medal of Honor was given to Murphy June 2, 1945 at the airport of Salzburg by General Patch, CG 7th Army. Some members of US-congress where present at this ceremony.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D GySgt Thomas Vick SGT Denny Espinosa SSG Stephen Rogerson SPC Matthew Lamb LTC (Join to see)Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. SFC Chuck Martinez PO1 William "Chip" Nagel PO2 (Join to see) SSG Franklin Briant SPC Woody Bullard TSgt David L. SMSgt David A Asbury MSgt Paul Connors SPC Michael Terrell
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LTC Stephen F.
The Life and Sad Ending of Audie Murphy
Mini bio of the life of actor Audie Murphy who is probably most famous for playing himself in the 1955 autobiographical film To Hell and BackThis video was m...
The Life and Sad Ending of Audie Murphy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_ey8Wg1ICs
Images:
1. Audie Ribbon Display
2. 1LT Audie Murphy Medal of Honor
3. LT Audie Murphy wearing his medals and awards
From ausa.org/audie-leon-murphy
"Audie Leon Murphy was a legend in his own time-- war hero, movie actor, writer of country western songs and poet. His biography reads more like fiction than fact. He lived only forty-six years, yet he made a lasting imprint on American history.
Audie was born on a sharecropper farm in north 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 for his accuracy with a gun. He had only five years of schooling and was orphaned at sixteen. After being refused enlistment in both the marines and the paratroopers for being too small (5'5") and underweight (110lbs), he enlisted in the U.S. Army a few days after his eighteenth birthday. After basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas, and advanced training at Fort Meade, Maryland, Audie went overseas. He was assigned to the famous 15th Infantry in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. He earned a battlefield commission for his courage and leadership ability. Audie spent some 400 days on the front lines and earned thirty-three military awards, citations, and decorations, including every medal of valor that america gives as well as three French and one Belgian medal. Lieutenant Audie Murphy was the most highly decorated soldier in American history.
Discharged from the Army on September 21, 1945, Audie 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 as a producer. He acted in forty-four films, starring in thirty-nine of them. His best known film is "To Hell and Back" adapted from the best selling book of this war experience by the same name. Most of his movies, however, were westerns. Audie Murphy was voted the most popular western actor in America in 1955 by motion picture exhibitors.
In 1950, Audie joined the 36th Infantry Division ("T-Patcher") of the Texas National Guard and served with it until 1966. He was killed in a plane crash on a mountain top near Roanoke, Virginia, on May 28, 1971. Fittingly, his body was recovered two days later on Memorial Day.
On 7 June, Audie Murphy was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. His gravesite is near the amphitheater and it is the 2nd most visited gravesite year round.
He was the greatest soldier in the 200 year history of the United States."
FYI Sgt John H. SGM Bill FrazerCSM (Join to see)SSG Jeffrey LeakeSSG Paul HeadleeSGM Major StroupeCPL Michael PeckSSG Jeff Furgerson]Sgt (Join to see)PO1 Steve Ditto SPC Michael Terrell CPL Douglas ChryslerSP5 Geoffrey Vannerson LTC John Shaw MSgt Paul Connors SPC Matthew Lamb GySgt John Hudson SPC(P) (Join to see) SSG Robert WebsterSFC (Join to see)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_ey8Wg1ICs
Images:
1. Audie Ribbon Display
2. 1LT Audie Murphy Medal of Honor
3. LT Audie Murphy wearing his medals and awards
From ausa.org/audie-leon-murphy
"Audie Leon Murphy was a legend in his own time-- war hero, movie actor, writer of country western songs and poet. His biography reads more like fiction than fact. He lived only forty-six years, yet he made a lasting imprint on American history.
Audie was born on a sharecropper farm in north 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 for his accuracy with a gun. He had only five years of schooling and was orphaned at sixteen. After being refused enlistment in both the marines and the paratroopers for being too small (5'5") and underweight (110lbs), he enlisted in the U.S. Army a few days after his eighteenth birthday. After basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas, and advanced training at Fort Meade, Maryland, Audie went overseas. He was assigned to the famous 15th Infantry in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. He earned a battlefield commission for his courage and leadership ability. Audie spent some 400 days on the front lines and earned thirty-three military awards, citations, and decorations, including every medal of valor that america gives as well as three French and one Belgian medal. Lieutenant Audie Murphy was the most highly decorated soldier in American history.
Discharged from the Army on September 21, 1945, Audie 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 as a producer. He acted in forty-four films, starring in thirty-nine of them. His best known film is "To Hell and Back" adapted from the best selling book of this war experience by the same name. Most of his movies, however, were westerns. Audie Murphy was voted the most popular western actor in America in 1955 by motion picture exhibitors.
In 1950, Audie joined the 36th Infantry Division ("T-Patcher") of the Texas National Guard and served with it until 1966. He was killed in a plane crash on a mountain top near Roanoke, Virginia, on May 28, 1971. Fittingly, his body was recovered two days later on Memorial Day.
On 7 June, Audie Murphy was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. His gravesite is near the amphitheater and it is the 2nd most visited gravesite year round.
He was the greatest soldier in the 200 year history of the United States."
FYI Sgt John H. SGM Bill FrazerCSM (Join to see)SSG Jeffrey LeakeSSG Paul HeadleeSGM Major StroupeCPL Michael PeckSSG Jeff Furgerson]Sgt (Join to see)PO1 Steve Ditto SPC Michael Terrell CPL Douglas ChryslerSP5 Geoffrey Vannerson LTC John Shaw MSgt Paul Connors SPC Matthew Lamb GySgt John Hudson SPC(P) (Join to see) SSG Robert WebsterSFC (Join to see)
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MAJ Dale E. Wilson, ph.D.
Thanks for posting this article and video, Audie Murphy was quite the stand out guy seemingly unafraid and understanding the right opportunity to move on the burning Tank taking command of the 50 Cal. He was and exampled a Hero. After the War Audie Murphy became a very good actor, He also suffered from PTSD, Tragically Audie Died in a plane crash in 1971, Audie Murphy a Medal of Honor recipient who's name is remembered.
Thanks for posting this article and video, Audie Murphy was quite the stand out guy seemingly unafraid and understanding the right opportunity to move on the burning Tank taking command of the 50 Cal. He was and exampled a Hero. After the War Audie Murphy became a very good actor, He also suffered from PTSD, Tragically Audie Died in a plane crash in 1971, Audie Murphy a Medal of Honor recipient who's name is remembered.
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