American military hero Audie Murphy came from a large Texas family. When his mother died, he was forced to lie about his age to enlist in the United States Army so he could help support his brothers and sisters financially. He fought in Italy and France, returned a hero, and became a Hollywood film star and successful country music songwriter.
Audie Murphy’s Early Years
Audie Leon Murphy (1925-1971) was the son of Texas sharecroppers, one of twelve children born to Emmett and Josie Murphy. Audie dropped out of school in the eighth grade to help support his brothers and sisters by picking cotton when his father deserted the family. He also used his hunting skills to provide food. He was fifteen years old and working at a radio repair shop when his mother died, leaving twelve orphaned children.
Military Hero and Legend of WWII
Six months after the death of his mother, Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese military. Murphy tried to enlist and was rejected due to his age, so his sister adjusted his birth date so he appeared to be 18 and he enlisted shortly after his sixteenth birthday. He was rejected again due to his small stature when he applied to the Marines and the Paratroopers, but he was stubborn about becoming a combat soldier and was finally approved for advanced infantry training.
Murphy served three years as an infantry soldier in the 15th regiment of the Third Division, taking part in the liberation of Sicily and the invasion of Italy. Near Salerno, he and his fellow soldiers fought their way out of an ambush and Murphy was promoted to Sergeant. He was then sent to France where he witnessed the death of his friend, Lattie Tipton, went into a rage and killed the German machine gun crew responsible. He used their gun to destroy several enemy positions. He was ultimately credited with destroying six tanks, killing over 240 German soldiers and wounding and capturing many others.
Murphy's Military Awards
Among the 33 awards and medals he received for the 29 months he served overseas, Murphy was presented with the Medal of Honor, a Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars with Valor, three Purple Hearts, two Presidential Citations, a Croix de Guerre 1940 Palm from Belgium, two Croix de Guerre medals from France and the Legion of Honor, which is the French governments highest award.
Hollywood Film Star and Country Song Writer
Audie Murphy made his Hollywood debut when he was 22 and eventually starred in the film version of his bestselling autobiography To Hell and Back, (1955). The movie was Universal Studio’s bestselling film until Jaws. Over a 25 year period, Murphy starred in 44 western and military films, including The Red Badge of Courage (1951). He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He also wrote popular country songs for Dean Martin and Eddy Arnold.
Personal Battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Audie Murphy spoke openly about the fact that he suffered from nightmares and depression, the result of “battle fatigue,” which is now referred to as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He spoke publicly about his struggles, urging the American government to dedicate more study and consideration to the emotional effects of combat on veterans returning from war.
Murphy was on a business trip when he died in a plane crash near Roanoke, Virginia during the Memorial Day weekend on May 28, 1971. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Northern Virginia. On June 9, 1999, former President George W. Bush proclaimed June 20th Audie Murphy Day in the State of Texas.
Resources:
"Audie Murphy” biography. Dogface Soldiers: A Photographic Journey of the U.S. Third Division in WWII.
“Biography.” Audie L. Murphy Memorial Website.
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