The Biography of Audie Murphy
Audie Leon Murphy was a legend in his own 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 chopped cotton for one dollar a day and was noted for his feats of derring-do and his accuracy with a gun. He had only 5 years of schooling and was orphaned at age 16. After being refused enlistment during World War II in both 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 of the 3rd Infantry Division where he fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. He earned a battlefields commission for his courage and leadership ability as well as citations and decorations including every medal for valor that 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 best selling book of his war experiences by the same name. Most of his movies were westerns. In 1955, Audie Murphy was voted the Most Popular Western Actor in America by the Motion Picture Exhibitors. Audie wrote the lyrics to 16 country and western songs, the most popular of which was "Shutters and Boards," written with 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-Patchers") 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 2 days later on Memorial Day. Audie could very well be the last American war hero. He was the greatest combat soldier in the 200 year plus history of the United States.
http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/audie_murphy_study_guide/audie_murphy_information/the-biography-of-audie-mu.shtmlMILITARY DECORATIONS OF AUDIE MURPHY
A complete list, in order of precedence, of military decorations earned by Audie Murphy.
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Award Details
Medal of Honor
Military Decoration #1
Name: Medal of Honor
Date Earned: 26 January 1945
Date Awarded: 2 June 1945
Presented By: Lieutenant General Alexander Patch
Comments: Earned by Audie Murphy for his heroism on 26 January 1945 during the Battle of Colmar Pocket, Holtzwihr France.
Award Criteria: The Medal of Honor is awarded by the President in the name of Congress to a military service member who distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States. (See Army Regulation 600-8-22, para. 3-7.)
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Award Details
Distinguished Service Cross
Military Decoration #2
Name: Distinguished Service Cross
Date Earned: 15 August 1944
Date Awarded: 5 March 1945
Presented By: Major General William O'Daniel
Comments: Earned by Audie Murphy for action near Ramatuelle, France shortly after the 3rd Infantry Division's amphibious landing in southern France.
Award Criteria: Awarded to a military service member who distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor. (See Army Regulation 600-8-22, para. 3-8.)
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Award Details
Silver Star
Military Decoration #3
Name: Silver Star
Date Earned: 2 October 1944 (1st Award)
Date Earned: 5 October 1944 (2nd Award)
Oak Leaf Clusters: One
Comments: The first award was earned near Cleurie Quarry, France when Audie Murphy destroyed a machinegun emplacement that had pinned down a group of officers. The second award was earned several days later near Le Tholy, France when Audie Murphy crawled ahead of friendly lines to direct artillery on a strongly emplaced enemy emplacement.
Award Criteria: The Silver Star is awarded to any military service member who is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations to a lesser degree than that required for the Distinguished Service Cross. (See Army Regulation 600-8-22, para. 3-10.)
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Award Details
Legion of Merit
Military Decoration #4
Name: Legion of Merit
Date Presented: 2 June 1945.
Presented By: Lieutenant General Alexander Patch
Comments: Earned "for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services in Italy and France, as Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Leader and Company Commander of Company "B", 15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division, from 22 January 1944 to 18 February 1945."
Award Criteria: The Legion of Merit is awarded to any military service member who has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements rendered in a clearly exceptional manner. Justification of the award may accrue over a succession of important positions. (See Army Regulation 600-8-22, para. 3-11.)
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Award Details
Bronze Star
Military Decoration #5
Name: Bronze Star
Date Authorized: 4 March 1945 (1st Award)
Date Authorized: 11 December 1954 (2nd Award)
Device: "V" for valor device (first award only)
Oak Leaf Cluster: One
Comments: The first award was earned 2 March 1944 for heroism during on the Anzio Beachhead invasion in Italy. The second award was earned during the Anzio Beachhead on 8 May 1944 when Audie Murphy crawled forward of friendly lines to destroy a partly disabled enemy tank using several rifle grenades.
Award Criteria: Awarded to any military service member who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. Circumstances of the act of heroism are of a lesser degree than that required of the silver star. The "V" device is worn to denote participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy.(See Army Regulation 600-8-22, para. 3-14 and 6-5.)
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Award Details
Purple Heart
Military Decoration #6
Name: Purple Heart
Date Earned: 15 September 1944 (1st Award)
Date Earned: 26 October 1944 (2nd Award)
Date Earned: 25 January 1945 (3rd Award)
Oak Leaf Clusters: Two
Award Criteria: Awarded to any military service member who has been wounded or killed, or who has died in any action against an enemy of the United States. (See Army Regulation 600-8-22, para. 2-8.)
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Award Details
Outstanding Civilian Service Medal
Military Decoration #7
Name: Outstanding Civilian Service Medal
Date Awarded: November 7, 1961 (referenced from Hopkinsville Kentucky New Era Newspaper, page 2, dated November 8, 1961)
Comments: Presented for contribution of his professional services to the United States Army in the production of the Department of the Army motion picture "The Broken Bridge". (See Army Regulation 672-20, para. 9-3).
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Award Details
Good Conduct Medal
Military Decoration #8
Name: Good Conduct Medal
Date Awarded: 22 August 1945
Award Criteria: Awarded on a selective basis to any soldier who distinguishes himself or herself from among his or her fellow Soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service. (See Army Regulation 600-8-22, para. 4-1.)
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Award Details
Distinguished Unit Emblem
Military Decoration #9
Name: Distinguished Unit Emblem
Current Name: Presidential Unit Citation
Unit (1st Award): 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment
Unit (2nd Award): 3rd Infantry Division
Oak Leaf Clusters: One
Comments: The first award was earned for action seen by the soldiers of 1-15 Infantry Battalion at Montelimar, France from 27-29 August 1944. The second award was earned by the by the soldiers of 3rd Infantry Division for action seen at the Colmar Pocket, France from 22 January - 6 February 1945.
Award Criteria: Awarded to units for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after 7 December 1941. The unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions as to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same campaign. (See Army Regulation 600-8-22, para. 7-13.)
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Award Details
American Campaign Medal
Military Decoration #10
Name: American Campaign Medal
Comments: Earned for service within the American Theater between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 to those who were on permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States and because of active combat against an enemy resulting in the awarding of a combat decoration and/or certificate.
Award Criteria: Awarded for service within the American Theater between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 while on permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States and/or in active combat against the enemy and was awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the soldier actually participated in combat. (See Army Regulation 600-8-22, para. 5-15)
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Award Details
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
Military Decoration #11
Name: European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
Silver Battle Star: One
Bronze Battle Star: Three
Bronze Service Arrowhead: One
Comments: Awarded for service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater between 7 December 1941 and 8 November 1945. Eight total Bronze Battle Stars were earned for participation in combat campaigns at Tunisia, Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. When the fifth bronze battle star was earned, a silver battle Star was issued to represent the first five awards. The bronze arrowhead was earned for participation of amphibious landings in Sicily and Southern France.
Award Criteria: Awarded for service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater between 7 December 1941 and 8 November 1945. (See Army Regulation 600-8-22, para. 5-13)
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Award Details
World War II Victory Medal
Military Decoration #12
Name: World War II Victory Medal
Award Criteria: Awarded for military service between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946. (See Army Regulation 600-8-22, para. 5-12)
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Award Details
Army of Occupation Medal
Military Decoration #13
Name: Army of Occupation Medal
Award Criteria: Awarded for 30 consecutive days service at a normal post of duty while assigned to the Army of Occupation of Germany between 9 May 1945 and 5 May 1955. If the 30 day qualifying period was served between 9 May and 8 November 1945, a soldier must have earned the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal before the Army of Occupation Medal could be awarded. A clasp with "Germany" inscribed is on it was authorized to wear with the medal. (See Army Regulation 600-8-22, para. 5-11)
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Award Details
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Military Decoration #14
Name: Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Award Criteria: For award to military personnel whose Reserve Component service has been primarily in the organized Reserve or in the National Guard. Service must be honorable for a period of 10 years within a 12 consecutive year period of time. (See Army Regulation 600-8-22, para. 5-8)
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Award Details
Combat Infantry Badge
Military Decoration #15
Name: Combat Infantryman Badge
Date Awarded: Awarded in Italy, May 8, 1944
Award Criteria: For satisfactorily performing infantry duties while assigned to an infantry unit while personally and actively engaged in ground combat and under hostile fire. (See Army Regulation 600-8-22, para. 8-6)
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Award Details
Marksmanship Badge
Military Decoration #16
Name: Marksmanship Badge
Date Awarded: Awarded September 1942 while at Camp Wolters, Texas.
Attachments: Rifle Bar.
Award Criteria: Awarded for qualifing as a "marksman" while a military service member during a prescribed rifle record course. (See Army Regulation 600-8-22, para. 8-47)
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Award Details
Expert Marksmanship Badge
Military Decoration #17
Name: Expert Marksmanship Badge
Date Awarded: Awarded September 1942 while at Camp Wolters, Texas.
Attachment: Bayonet Bar
Award Criteria: Awarded for qualifing as an "expert" while a military service member during a prescribed record bayonet course. (See Army Regulation 600-8-22, para. 8-47)
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Award Details
French Fourragere
Military Decoration #18
Name: French Fourragere
Country of Origin: France
Colors: Colors of the Croix de Guerre.
Date Awarded: February 20, 1945
Presented By: General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny when pinned to the 3rd Infantry Division's colors.
Comments: Awarded by France to U.S. Army service members for heroism or exceptionally meritorious service in direct support of military operations during the Battle of the Colmar Pocket.
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Award Details
French Legion of Honor, Grade of Chevalier
Military Decoration #19
Name: French Legion of Honor
Country of Origin: France
Grade: Chevalier
Date Awarded: July 19, 1948
Presented By: General de Lattre de Tassigny
Comments: Presented to Audie Murphy on a visit to France in 1948.
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Award Details
French Croix de Guerre With Palm and Silver Star
Military Decoration #20
1st Award Name: French Croix de Guerre with Silver Star (Croix de guerre Avec Etoile d'Argent)
1st Award Date: 16 April 1945
1st Award Presented: 19 September 1945
Presented By: Brigadier General W. A. Collier
Comments: Presented to Audie Murphy at Dallas, Texas "for exceptional service rendered in the course of operations in the liberation of France".
2nd Award Name: French Croix de Guerre with Palm (Croix de Guerre avec Palme)
2nd Award Date: July 19, 1948
2nd Award Presented: 19 September 1948
Award Presented By: General de Lattre de Tassigny
Comments: Presented to Audie Murphy on a visit to France in 1948.
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Award Details
Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 With Palm
Military Decoration #21
Name: Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 With Palm
Country of Origin: Belgium
Appurtenance: Palm
Date Awarded: 10 December 1955
Comments: Earned "for exceptional acts of bravery facing the enemy during WW II."
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Award Details
Medal of Liberated France
Military Decoration #22
Name: Medal of Liberated France
French Name: Médaille de la France libérée
Year Awarded: 1947
Comments: The French Liberation Medal, created in 1947, is a French Republic decoration earned and issued to any person, military or civilian, who actively participated in the Liberation of France during World War II. Eligible recipients include any Allied or French soldier who fought on french soil during the war.
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Award Details
Texas Legislative Medal of Honor
Military Decoration #23
http://www.audiemurphy.com/decorations.htm Name: Texas Legislative Medal of Honor
Year Approved: 2013
Comments: The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded to a member of the Texas Military Forces and only awarded to federal or state military personnel who served in the Armed Forces of the State of Texas and who also received the Medal of Honor. Posthumously approved by Governor Rick Perry on August 19, 2013. Presentation made to Nadine Lockey Murphy, Audie Murphy's sister, on October 29, 2013, at Farmersville, Texas.
