KRATZMC

Veterans Day is a very special holiday for me, besides being my birthday and watching a host of Military History related shows on TV, it’s a time to honor those who gave and sacrificed for all of us.  Last week during the Veteran’s Day Holiday, I rode my motorcycle 1,900 miles to a BBQ to honor U.S. Military Veterans and later in the week, took my girlfriend on a B-17 flight.  When I told my friends about the B-17 ride, a few asked what kind of plane that was.  It made me think back to a conversation I had at work a few years back, when I was shocked to learn that many in my office didn’t know who Audie Murphy was.  So this last week I performed an experiment, I asked three employees in a Texas coffee shop who Audie Murphy (a native Texan) was and they looked at me with a blank stare. Now I can understand someone not into aviation knowing what a B-17 is but not knowing who America’s most heroic Soldier was, I found disturbing.  Therefore, I am taking it upon myself to help educate and preserve some interesting history, of a Man who epitomized what can be achieved in this country.  A country whose freedom was preserved and secured by like men and others who sacraficed limbs and those who gave their all.

Lt. Audie Leon Murphy

So strap on your helmets and put on your gloves, as I give my version of the life and achievements of Audie Leon Murphy.

Audie Leon Murphy was born in Kingston, in Hunt County Texas on June 26, 1924 or 1926.  There is a confusion on his birth year, as his oldest sister Corrine had falsified Audie’s records so he could enlist in the Military. 

Audie’s parents were sharecroppers and he grew up on a farm between Farmersville and Greenville, Tx, where there is debate which goes on today for the rights to be called “Audie Murphy’s Hometown”.  Audie was the sixth of twelve children, of whom only nine survived to reach age 18.  Audie’s father deserted the family in 1936, so Audie dropped out of the 8th grade to help support his family.  He would work for a dollar a day picking cotton or doing other farm chores, for any one who would hire him.  Audie would often hunt small game to help feed his family and it was often observed that Audie would require only one shot to bag his game.  Audie would claim that if he missed the first shot, his family wouldn’t eat. 

 Audie also held jobs at a local filling station in Greenville and was working in a radio repair shop in May of 1941 when his mother died. Later when Audie tried to enlist after Pearl Harbor, he made an agreement with his sister Corrine to place his three youngest siblings into an Orphanage and that he could claim them after the war, which he later did.

Audie’s Birth Certificate

Audie tried to enlist in the Militaryimmediately  following Pearl Harbor but he was only 15. Turned down for being too young, Audie tried to enlist again in June of 1942, after his 16th birthday.  With the help of his sister Corrine and falsified records, Audie was turned down by the Marines and the Paratroopers for being to short, to slight in build, which was only exasperated by his boyish looks.  Even the Navy though Audie unfit for duty and he finally found a home with the US Army Infantry.

After a fainting spell during close order drill at Fort Wolters, Tx, Army personnel attempted to reassign Murphy to a non-combatant job. Murphy fought to remain in the infantry and after 13 weeks of basic training and made his way to Fort Mead Maryland for Advanced Infantry Training. In early 1943, Murphy was sent to Morroco in Africa as a replacement for Company B, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. Murphy took part in the Invasion of Sicily on July 19th 1943 and was promoted to Corporal shortly afterwards, for shooting and killing two escaping Italian Officers. Murphy contracted Malaria while in Sicily and the disease would put him in the hospital atvarious times during his Army career. During the war Murphy would send most of his Military Pay back home to help support his family.

Early war time pictures of Murphy.

After Sicily was secured the 3rd Infantry Division landed in mainland Italy near Salerno in September of 1943. While leading a night patrol, Murphy and his men were ambushed.  Murphy lead his patrol to cover in a rock quarry and fought back a German Squad level attack with intense rifle and machine gun fire.  Three German soldiers were killed and several others captured. Due to this action, Murphy was promoted to Sergeant. Murphy continued to distinguish himself in Italy at the Volturno River and at Anzio beach head and Mountain regions, leading to further promotions and citations for Valor.

On 15 August, 1944, the 3rd Division landing in Southern France as part of Operation Anvil Dragoon. Shortly thereafter, Murphy’s close friend, Lattie Tipton, referred to in the Movie and Book “To Hell and Back” as Brandon, was killed my a German soldier in a machine gun nest who was feigning surrender. Enraged, Murphy attacked the positionand singlehandedly wiped out the machine gun nest. Using the German machine gun and hand grenades, Murphy wiped out two more machine guns nests, allowing his stalled company to advance. For this action, Murphy was awarded our Nation’s second highest decoration for Valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.  During this period, the 3rd Division suffered 4,500 casualties.

Documents and Statue associated with his Distinguished Service Cross Action

Just two weeks later, Murphy would receive two Silver Star Medals for valor for heroic actions as a Staff Sgt. and Platoon Sergeant.  Its one thing to receive one Silver Star but to be awarded two, after already receiving the 2nd highest Medal for Valor, Incredible! Murphy then received a Battlefield Commission to Lieutenant and Platoon leader.  Twelve days after his promotion Murphy was struck by a snipers ricocheting bullet in the hip, requiring two weeks in a field hospital to recover.  Two days after returning to his unit still bandaged, Murphy was promoted to Company Commander on January 25th 1945.  Murphy was received further wounds when he was struck by shrapnel from a mortar round, which killed two others nearby. For these wounds, Murphy received two Purple Heart Citations.

Medal of Honor: If that wasn’t enough the next day, the 26th of January the Battle of Holtzwhir France began. With two feet of snow covering the ground with temperatures at 14 degrees, Murphy’s unit of 128 men now numbered 19. Murphy sent all of his men to the rear while he took pot-shots at the Germans until out of ammunition. Audie proceeded to use an abandoned burning tank destroyers .50 cal machine gun to cut into the German infantry at a distance, including one full squad of German infantry that had crawled in a ditch to within 100 feet of his position. Wounded in the leg during heavy fire, he continued this nearly single-handed battle for almost an hour. His focus on the battle before him stopped only when his telephone line to the artillery fire direction center was cut by either U.S. or German artillery. As his remaining men came forward, he quickly organized them to conduct a counter attack, which ultimately drove the enemy away from Holtzwihr. For these actions Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor.

The Congressional Medal of Honor on display

The following is the Medal of Honor Citation outlining Murphy’s action.

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company B 15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division.

Place and date: Near Holtzwihr France, January 26, 1945.

Entered service at: Dallas, Texas. Birth: Hunt County, near Kingston, Texas, G.O. No. 65, August 9, 1944.

Citation: Second Lt. Murphy commanded Company B, which was attacked by six tanks and waves of infantry. 2d Lt. Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to a prepared position 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, one 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 machine gun against the enemy. He was alone and exposed to German fire from three 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 that 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 his single-handed fight until his ammunition was exhausted. He then made his way back 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.

Witness Statements of the Action at Holtzwihr

Medal of Honor Action

Witness Account at Hotzwihr

Audie Murphy was credited with destroying six tanks in addition to killing over (*)240 German soldiers and wounding and capturing many others. During his 27 months of Combat, Auidie Murphy received every possible Medal for Bravery the United States had, including receiving five of them twice. Murphy received over 33 decorations, including five Medals from France and one from Belgium, which included their highest awards for bravery. Murphy was offered enrollement at West Point an truly unique opportunity for a poor orphan and high school drop out but his wounds would keep him from that dream. Murphy’s height and weight at his enlistment were 5 feet 5.5 inches and 110 pounds after his three year enlistment, they were 5 feet 7 inches and 145 pounds. Murphy spent 29 months overseas and just under two years in combat with the 3rd Infantry Division, all before he turned 21.

Cover of LIFE Magazine

In June of 1945, Murphy returned to Texas and received a Hero’s welcome as a First Lieutenant and was discharged in September of 1945. In 1950 when the Korean War broke out, Murphy enlisted in the 36th Infantry Division of the Texas National Guard but his unit was never called for duty. Murphy left the National Guard in 1966 after attaining the rank of Major.

The following is a list of Murphy’s decorations:

• Medal of Honor
• Distinguished Service Cross
• Silver Star with First Oak Leaf Cluster
• Legion of Merit
• Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device and First Oak Leaf Cluster
• Purple Heart with Second Oak Leaf Cluster
• U.S. Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal
• Good Conduct Medal
• Presidential Unit Citation with First Oak Leaf Cluster
• American Campaign Medal
• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with One Silver Star, Four Bronze Service Stars (representing nine campaigns) and one Bronze Arrowhead (representing assault landing at Sicily and Southern France)
• World War II Victory Medal
• Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal
• Combat Infantry Badge
• Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar
• Expert Badge with Bayonet Bar
• French Fourragere in Colors of the Croix de Guerre
• French Legion of Honor, Grade of Chevalier
• French Croix de Guerre With Silver Star
• French Croix de Guerre with Palm
• Medal of Liberated France
• Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 Palm

Murphy admittedly suffered from what was called Battle Fatigue, later known as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.  Battling nightmares, depression and lack of sleep, Murpjy became addicted to Doctor Prescribed sleeping pills. When Murphy realized his addiction, he locked himself in a Motel room for a week until he was able to withdraw from the drugs and their effects. Murphy used his influence and spoke out publically about his problems, which brought light and national attention to Post Traumatic Stress.

In 1945, after seeing Murphy’s photograph on the cover of LIFE magazine, James Cagney was impressed and attempted to help Murphy start a movie career. After several minor roles Murphy struggled with a poor financial situation and for a while slept on the floor of a gymnasium in Los Angeles, owned by a long time friend. Murphy finally received a starring role in the Movie “Bad Boy” in 1949 and was signed on for a 7 year contract with Allied Artists. It was that same year that the Autobiography book “To Hell and Back” was released and became a best seller.  In 1951, Audie received a role in the movie “Red Badge of Courage” which won him critical acclaim, after which his acting career finally began to take off. Offered a role playing himself in a Movie Biography in 1955, Murphy felt uncomfortable playing himself and wanted Actor Tony Curtis to take the role. Ultimately Audie relented and the the Movie, “To Hell and Back” became a box office success, earning him a seven year contract with Universal Studios.  “To Hell and Back” earned 10 million dollars during the initial release and was the largest grossing film in Universal’s 43 year history and held this honor until the 1975 release of the movie “Jaws”.  Murphy constantly down played his heroic actions during the making of the film and the writing of the book, not wanting to appear that he was cashing in on his war time exploits. Murphy starred in 44 films of which 33 were Westerns.

Lobby Card for the Movie

Harold B. Simpson’s 1975 comprehensive biography, Audie Murphy, American Soldier, covers the breadth of Murphy’s life. The book emphasizes his military exploits, and includes photos, maps, and battle-maneuver diagrams. Murphy’s post-war career is also well-documented.

Murphy was also an accomplished Country Western Song Writer and his songs were recorded and released by performers such as Dean Martin, Eddie Arnold, Roy Clark, Charlie Pride, Porter Wagner and several other famous performers.  His two biggest hits were “Shutters and Boards” and “When the Wind Blows in Chicago”.

Memorial at crash site and Drivers license recovered in the wreckage.

Ironically, just after noon Memorial Day on May 28th, 1971, Murphy was killed in a private plane crash near Catawba, Virginia 20 miles from Roanoke.  Four others died in the crash with Murphy.  In 1974 a large granite Memorial plaque was erected near the crash site. Murphy was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full Military Honors.  The official U.S. representative at the ceremony was the decorated World War II veteran and future President George H. W. Bush. Murphy’s grave site is in Section 46, located across Memorial Drive from the Amphitheater. A special flagstone walkway was later constructed to accommodate the large number of people who visit to pay their respects. It is the second most-visited grave site, after that of President John F Kennedy. The headstones of Arlington’s Medal of Honor recipients are normally decorated in gold leaf, but Murphy had requested that his stone remain plain and inconspicuous, as would be the case with an ordinary soldier. A person Murphy served with during the war once commented about his grave marker: “Like the man, the headstone is too small.”

Grave marker, Arlington National Cemetery

June 20th has been dedicated by the State Legislature as “Audie Murphy Day”.  A museum can be found at the Audie Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio, Tx and Audie Murphy Middle School can be found at Ft. Hood, Texas. The U.S. Army also started the Sergeant Audie Murphy club, whose members are those NCO’s who have distinguished themselves and possess the qualities exemplified by Murphy.  In 2000, Audie Murphy was portrayed on the 33 cent postage stamp and additional statues and honors can be found in  both Farmersville and Greenville, Tx.

Everything here I have compiled, plagiarized, stolen and assembled, is my testament for a Man, an American who is not only one of our greatest heroes but an example of what defines an American and our country. His battle field exploits never cease to amaze me and the scope of what Murphy achieved in the field of battle, will probably never be repeated again in U.S. Military History. His life was truly a story book filled with excitement, adventure, achievement and tragedy, with rags to riches thrown in. This is one American’s legacy which should be kept alive and passed on through the generations. In keeping the story and exploits of Audie L. Murphy alive, you help to keep the memory of all the Veteran’s who served and made the ultimate sacrifices.

Medal of Honor Stamp

Universal Studios publicity photo

With Old Friends in France

 

There are speculations and rumors that the rights to produce a modern version of “To Hell and Back” may come to fruition in the next few years. We’ll have to wait and see!

(*) During the Medal of Honor action, Audie was individually credited with killing about 50 German soldiers. However,the resulting artillery fire which he directed killed additional scores of German soldiers,thus the approx 240 total.