The Biography of Audie Leon Murphy
Audie Leon Murphy was a legend in his on time. A war hero, movie actor, writer of country and western songs, and poet. His biography reads more like fiction than fact. He lived only 46 years, but he made a lasting imprint on American history. Audie was born on a sharecropper’s farm in North Texas on June 20, 1924. As a boy he was noted for his feats of derring-do and his accuracy with a gun. He only had 5 years of schooling and was orphaned at the age 16. After being refused enlistment in the Marines and Paratroopers for being too small (5’5”) and underweight (110 lbs.), he enlisted in the U.S. Army a few days after his 18th birthday. After basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas, and advanced training at Fort George G. Meade Maryland, Audie was sent overseas. He was assigned to the famous 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division where he fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. He earned a battlefield commission for his courage and leadership ability as well as citations and decorations including every award for valor America gives. He was also awarded three French and one Belgian medal. Lieutenant Audie Murphy was the highest 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 a producer. He acted in 44 films, starring in 39 of them. His best known film was “To Hell and back,” adopted from the bestselling book of his war experiences by the same name. Most of his movies were westerns. In 1955, Audie Murphy voted most popular Western Actor in America by the Motion picture Exhibitors. Audie wrote the lyrics to 16 country and western songs, the most popular was “Shutters and Boards,” written by Scott Turner in 1962. The song was recorded by over 30 pop singers, including jerry Wallace, Dean Martin, and Porter Waggoner. He was an accomplished poet; unfortunately, only a few of his poems have survived. In 1950 Audie joined the 36th Infantry Division (“T-Pitcher’s”) of the Texas National Guard and served with it until 1966. He was a Mason and a Shriner and belonged to several veterans’ organizations. Audie Murphy 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. Audie could very well be the last American Hero. He was the greatest combat Soldier in the 200 year plus history of the United States.