Posted on 05/19/2016 8:44:49 AM PDT by Oldpuppymax
Fully sixteen years after the State of Texas began honoring its military heroes with the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor, the most decorated combat soldier of World War II was finally recognized by Governor Rick Perry and the Texas legislature.
Born in the Lone Star State in 1924, the 5'6", 130lb Audie Leon Murphy was told he was too small to make it in the Navy or the US Marines. So the baby-faced, underaged Texan enlisted in the Army and in early 1942 was shipped to North Africa as part of the Third Infantry Division.
And in 3 years of war, Audie Murphy performed feats of bravery unequalled by any American soldier.
On January 26th, 1945, then Lieutenant Murphy was one of just 19 soldiers remaining from a company of 128 men. He had been ordered to hold the important Colmar Pocket area near the village of Holtzwihr in France.
Faced with an approaching enemy force of 3 infantry support companies and 6 heavy Tiger tanks, Murphy ordered his men well back into a defensive position while he climbed behind a 50 cal machine gun mounted on a burning M-10 Tank Destroyer.
Though the M-10 threatened to explode at any moment, for a full hour he called down a withering artillery barrage on the German position using his OWN map coordinates to provide firing intructions. When one of the artillery crew asked how close the enemy were to his position, Murphy is said to have responded, "Hang on the line and I'll let you talk to one of the bastards."
After 60 minutes, so many German soldiers had been killed by American artillery and Murphy's 50 caliber gun that the Tigers were forced to withdraw...
(Excerpt) Read more at thecoachsteam.com ...
Good! A fine soldier, a beautiful person, and the star of John Huston’s classic “The Red Badge of Courage.”
Huh? That book was about a coward in the civil war.
Not bad at all as an actor. He played himself in “The Audie Murphy Story” too. Talk about multiple skills.
They didn’t honor him before?
I’ve been to the Texas Capitol in Austin.
His portrait is right there in the chamber.
“To Hell and Back” = The Audie Murphy Story, which it often gets called (by me).
What are you talking about?
Very true. I took a pic of it while i was there last year.
A bit behind the times by 3 years. He was honored back in Aug. 2013.
Wow !
I always recommend the book ‘Picture’ by Lillian Ross about the filming of Red Badge. It’s a sympathetic portrait of a very young Murphy (and Bill Mauldin) who even in the book is portrayed as suffering from some obvious form of PTSD.
Not to dis the fine service man, but it’s always been my experience that the smallest guy makes the most noise.
I’m 5’18” and every year in school it was always the runt who would try to pick on me.
Napoleon complex maybe?
I remember how the communists in Hollywood tried to destroy his image with their very negative critiques of his acting ability.
No, he was a patriot and tough as nails. I find your comment offensive.
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 7. Army. Some members of US-congress where present at this ceremony.
HOLLYWOOD, June 2, 1955 (AP) - Ten years ago Thursday on an Austrian airstrip, a general pinned the Medal of Honor on a Texas boy so young that he couldn't even grow a mustache.
The ceremony climaxed one of the most amazing fighting careers in American military history and made 2nd Lt. Audie Murphy the most decorated hero of World War II. Yet there was no official photograph made that day - but a Red Cross doughnut girl snapped a picture with a box camera. It was in her scrapbook until Murphy, now a movie star, went on location near Yakima, Wash., for the filming of his own exploits in "To Hell and Back." She had a reunion there with Murphy and gave him the snapshot.
FREEDOM FLIES IN YOUR HEART LIKE AN EAGLE
Dusty old helmet, rusty old gun,
They sit in the corner and wait.
Two souvenirs of the Second World War
That have witnessed the time and the hate.
Mute witness to a time of much trouble
Where kill or be killed was the law.
Were these implements used with high honor?
What was the glory they saw?
Many times I’ve wanted to ask them...
And now that we’re here, all alone,
Relics all three of that long ago war. . .
Where has freedom gone?
Freedom flies in your heart like an eagle.
Let it soar with the winds high above
Among the Spirits of soldiers now sleeping.
Guard with care and with love.
I salute my old friends in the corner.
I agree with all they have said . . .
And if the moment of truth comes tomorrow,
I’ll be free, or by God, I’ll be dead!
. . . Audie Murphy, 1968
Yes, that’s it indeed.
Lots of other people there that don’t deserve to be, probably, but he certainly does.
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