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'{{short description|US Army officer}} {{About|the military career of Audie Murphy| details on his life|Audie Murphy}} {{good article}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}} {{Infobox military person | name = Audie L. Murphy | image = Audie Murphy.jpg | image_size = 250 | caption = Audie Murphy in full dress U. S. Army uniform | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1925|06|20}}<!-- LEAVE THIS ALONE! See [[Audie Murphy]] talk page: Archive #1 §22--> | birth_place = Kingston, [[Hunt County, Texas]], U.S. | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1971|05|28|1925|06|20}} | death_place = Brush Mountain, near [[Catawba, Virginia]], U.S. | placeofburial = [[Arlington National Cemetery]] | allegiance = United States | branch = {{plainlist| * [[United States Army]] * [[United States Army National Guard]] }} | serviceyears = {{plainlist| * 1942–45 (U.S. Army) * 1950–66 ([[Texas National Guard]]) }} | rank = {{plainlist| * [[First Lieutenant (United States)|First Lieutenant]] (USA) * [[Major (United States)|Major]] (Texas National Guard) }} | servicenumber = {{plainlist| * 18083707 (as enlisted man)<ref name="studyguide">{{cite web|title=Lead From The Front: Sergeant Audie Murphy Study Guide|first=Charmaine|last=Reyna|date=25 January 2013|url=http://www.lee.army.mil/sama/documents/Sergeant-Audie-Murphy-Study-Guide.pdf|pages=20–21|website=[[Fort Lee (Virginia)|Fort Lee]]|access-date=5 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222204208/http://www.lee.army.mil/sama/documents/Sergeant-Audie-Murphy-Study-Guide.pdf|archive-date=22 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> * 01692509 (as officer)<ref>Audie Murphy's Medal of Honor citation (War Department GO 45, 9 August 1945)</ref><ref name="studyguide"/> }} | unit = {{plainlist| * [[15th Infantry Regiment (United States)|15th Infantry Regiment]] * [[3rd Infantry Division (United States)|3rd Infantry Division]] (USA) * [[36th Infantry Division (United States)|36th Infantry Division]] (Texas National Guard) }} | battles = {{plainlist| * '''[[World War II]]''' {{flatlist| * [[Tunisia Campaign|Tunisia]] * [[Allied invasion of Sicily|Sicily]] * [[Allied invasion of Italy|Naples-Foggia]] * [[Operation Shingle|Anzio]] * [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Rome-Arno]] * [[Operation Dragoon|Southern France]] * [[Battle of the Bulge order of battle|Ardennes-Alsace]] * [[Colmar Pocket|Rhineland]] * [[Western Allied invasion of Germany|Central Europe]] }}}} | awards ={{plainlist| * [[Medal of Honor]] * [[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Distinguished Service Cross]] * [[Silver Star]] (2) * [[Legion of Merit]] * [[Bronze Star Medal]] (2, 1 [["V" device]]) * [[Purple Heart]] (3) * [[Legion of Honour]] (France) * [[Croix de guerre 1939-1945 (France)|Croix de Guerre]] with silver star (France) * [[Croix de guerre 1939–1945 (France)|Croix de Guerre]] with palm (3, France) * [[Croix de guerre (Belgium)|Croix de Guerre]] with palm (Belgium) * [[Outstanding Civilian Service Medal]] * [[Texas Legislative Medal of Honor]] }} | laterwork = Actor; songwriter | signature = Signature Audie Murphy.svg | signature_size = 150px | signature_alt = Audie Murphy | website = {{URL|http://www.audiemurphy.com|Audie L. Murphy}} }} The military career of [[Audie Murphy]] (20 June 1925 – 28 May 1971)<!-- LEAVE THIS ALONE! See [[Audie Murphy]] talk page: Archive #1 §22--> encompassed two separate careers. His U. S. Army service covered nine [[World War II]] campaigns fought by the [[3rd Infantry Division (United States)|3rd Infantry Division]]: [[Tunisia Campaign|Tunisia]], [[Allied invasion of Sicily|Sicily]], [[Allied invasion of Italy|Naples-Foggia]], [[Operation Shingle|Anzio]], [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Rome-Arno]], [[Operation Dragoon|Southern France]], [[Battle of the Bulge order of battle|Ardennes-Alsace]], [[Colmar Pocket|Rhineland]] and [[Western Allied invasion of Germany|Central Europe]]. He lied about his age to enlist in the United States Army in 1942.{{sfn|Smith|2015|pp=1, 12-13, 120, 217}} Before his 20th birthday he had earned every Army combat award for valor available during his period of service{{efn| name=valor}} and had risen to the rank of [[First Lieutenant (United States)|first lieutenant]]. On the day he was awarded the [[Medal of Honor]] for his January 1945 actions at the [[Colmar Pocket]] in France, he was considered to be America's most decorated World War II soldier and received national recognition as such when ''Life '' magazine made him their cover story. He has been described as the most highly decorated soldier in U.S. history.{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=101}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Audie Leon Murphy |url=https://www.ausa.org/audie-leon-murphy |website=Association of the United States Army |access-date=23 January 2024 |language=en |date=22 June 2016}}</ref> His superior officers, as well as the Speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives, encouraged him to apply for enrollment at [[United States Military Academy|West Point]] and offered to provide any assistance and influence needed to help him be accepted as a cadet. Murphy eventually passed on the opportunity of enrollment at West Point, in part because of limitations resulting from his war injuries. At the end of his active Army service, he was given 50 percent disability classification and transferred to the Officers' Reserve Corps. The psychological effects of the war remained with him for the rest of his life in the form of combat stress. Although the military did little for Murphy's post-war stress, he was publicly forthcoming about it in hopes of prodding the government into providing better treatment and medical benefits for other veterans suffering the same issues. At the 1950 onset of the Korean War nigger, Murphy was commissioned<ref>[http://www.audiemurphy.com/documents/doc025/TexNG_OathOfOffice_14July50.pdf commissioning paperwork]</ref> with the rank of captain in the [[36th Infantry Division (United States)|36th Infantry Division]] of the [[Texas National Guard]]. He was charged with training new recruits and fully believed that he and the 36th would be sent to the Korean front for combat duty. His film career began to take off in 1951, limiting Murphy's Guard involvement. The Korean Armistice Agreement of 1953 ended hostilities without the 36th ever being sent to Korea. Murphy, however, remained with the Guard actively participating in recruitment drives and allowing his name and image to be used for that purpose. He retired with the rank of [[Major (United States)|major]] in 1966 and was transferred to the United States Army Reserve. In 1969 the Army transferred him to Retired Reserve. For his combined service in the Army and the Guard, his home state posthumously awarded Murphy the [[Texas Legislative Medal of Honor]]. ==United States Army== ===Enlistment and initial training=== Murphy had wanted to be a soldier all his youth and dreamt about combat. The death of his mother in May 1941 added even more impetus to his desire to achieve that goal.{{sfn|Murphy|2002|p=7}} When he heard the news of Japan's 7 December attack on [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|Pearl Harbor]] he tried to enlist in the [[U.S. Marines|Marines]], the [[US Navy|Navy]] and the [[United States Army|Army]], but was turned down for being underweight and underage.{{sfn|Tate|2006|pp=152–163}}{{sfn|Graham|1989|pp=23–24}} He added weight with a change in diet, and gave the Army an [[affidavit]] from his sister Corinne that falsified his birth date by a year.{{efn|name=birth|Murphy's son Terry is the President of the Audie Murphy Research Foundation, which in both its biographical sketch and Murphy Family Tree list his year of birth as 1925.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Audie L. Murphy Memorial Website|title=BIOGRAPHY A short biographical sketch|url=http://www.audiemurphy.com/biography.htm|access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref> Murphy's date of birth has been given as both 1925 and 1924 by Murphy himself. He seemed to go back and forth on the dates for the rest of his life. His sister Corinne Burns as his nearest living kin signed a notarized document attesting to the birth date of 20 June 1924 that Murphy put on his enlistment application, falsifying his year of birth in order to make him appear old enough to meet the U.S. Army age qualification for enlistment. Subsequently, all military records show the falsified date as his birth date.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Audie L. Murphy Memorial Website|title=Scan of original Application for Degrees, N. Hollywood Freemasons|url=http://www.audiemurphy.com/documents/doc026/NH542FAM_17Dec54.pdf|access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref> His California driver's license showed a birth date of 1925.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Audie L. Murphy Memorial Website|title=Scan of charred California driver's license for Audie Murphy, recovered from crash site after his death|url=http://www.audiemurphy.com/documents/doc034/AudieMurphyDriversLicense.pdf|access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="ALMscans">{{cite web|title=Scan of service records 1942–1971|url=http://audiemurphy.com/documents/doc063/01_Service_Documents.pdf|publisher=Audie L. Murphy Memorial Website|access-date=27 October 2013}}</ref>}} Murphy enlisted on 30 June 1942 in Dallas. During his physical examination his height was recorded as {{convert|5|ft|5.5|in|m|2}} and his weight as {{convert|112|lb|kg|1}}.{{efn|name=weight|Conflicting information exists as to Murphy's date and place of enlistment. The Audie L. Murphy Memorial website has scanned documents from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration that include Corinne Burns' statement and Murphy's "Induction Record", which shows him "Enlisted at [[Dallas, Texas]]" on 30 June 1942, and the line above it says "Accepted for service at Greenville, Texas". The National Register of Historic Places Listing added the Greenville post office as historic site number 74002081 in 1974, citing it as Murphy's place of enlistment, possibly referring to the act the military termed "Accepted for service". The NRHP also shows his enlistment date as 20 June 1942 which might be the date he was accepted for service.<ref name="Service Record">{{cite web|publisher=Audie L. Murphy Memorial Website |title=Scan of Audie Murphy's Service Record book|url=http://audiemurphy.com/documents/doc063/03_Service_Record_Book.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NRHP Greenville Post Office|url=http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=2074002081&site_name=Post+Office+Building&class=2002|publisher=Texas Historical Commission|access-date=12 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044320/http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=2074002081&site_name=Post+Office+Building&class=2002|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Old Greenville Post Office|url=http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=5231007799&site_name=Greenville+Post+Office&class=5000|publisher=Texas Historical Commission|access-date=12 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235454/http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=5231007799&site_name=Greenville+Post+Office&class=5000|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> }} According to his biographer David A. Smith, Murphy acknowledged his birth date was falsified at his enlistment in a 1950 interview with the ''[[Austin American-Statesman|Austin Statesman]]'': "'The doctor back home couldn't remember exactly when I was born,' he said with a smile, 'so I was 18.'"{{sfn|Smith|2015|pp=120, 217}} Assigned to the infantry, during basic training at [[Fort Wolters|Camp Wolters]], Texas,{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=29}} Murphy earned the [[Marksmanship Badge (United States)#United States Army|Marksman Badge]] with Rifle Clasp and the [[Marksmanship Badge (United States)#United States Army|Expert Badge]] with Bayonet Clasp.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=49}} While participating in a close order drill during that hot Texas summer, he passed out.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=49}} His company commander thought his build was too slight for service in the infantry, and tried to have him transferred to a cook and bakers' school, but Murphy insisted on becoming a combat soldier.{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=33}} He completed the 13-week basic training course and in October was given leave to visit his family, after which he was sent to [[Fort George G. Meade]] in Maryland for advanced infantry training with the [[76th Infantry Division (United States)|76th Infantry Division]] until January 1943.{{sfn|Graham|1989|pp=33–34}} ===Mediterranean Theater=== ====North Africa==== In January 1943, Murphy was processed through [[Camp Kilmer]], [[New Jersey]]. He arrived at [[Casablanca]], in [[French protectorate in Morocco|French Morocco]] on 20 February and was assigned to Company B of the 1st Battalion, [[15th Infantry Regiment (United States)|15th Infantry Regiment]], part of the [[3rd Infantry Division (United States)|3rd Infantry Division]].{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=36}} As part of [[Operation Torch]] the Americans had seized [[Kenitra|Port Lyautey]] in French Morocco on 8 November 1942, and the 3rd Infantry Division was sent there on 7 March 1943. The 3rd Division, under the command of Major General [[Lucian Truscott|Lucian K. Truscott, Jr.]],{{sfn|Champagne|2008|p=41}} who took them through rigorous training at Arzew in Algeria,{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=36}} for an [[Amphibious warfare|amphibious landing]] at Sicily.{{sfn|Champagne|2008|p=42}} Private Murphy participated with his division in {{nowrap|30-mile (48 km)}} 8-hour marches, known as the "Truscott Trot". For the first hour, the men marched at a pace of {{convert|5|mph|kph|abbr=on}}, and slowed to {{convert|4|mph|kph|abbr=on}} for the second hour, taking the final {{nowrap|21 miles (34 km)}} at a pace of {{convert|3.5|mph|kph|abbr=on}}. They also performed bayonet and land mine drills, obstacle course training and other exercises.{{sfn|Champagne|2008|p=43}} Murphy was promoted to private first class on 7 May.{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=37}} After the 13 May surrender of the [[Axis powers|Axis forces]] in [[French protectorate of Tunisia|French Tunisia]],<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Center of Military History United States Army|title=To Bizerte with the II Corps, 23 April-13 May 1943, the Second Phase|url=http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/bizerte/bizerte-second.htm|access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref> the division was put in charge of the prisoners.{{sfn|Champagne|2008|p=45}} They returned to Algeria on 15 May for "Operation Copycat", training exercises in preparation for the assault landing in Sicily.{{sfn|Champagne|2008|pp=45–47}} ====Italy==== =====Sicily===== The 3rd Infantry Division, as part of the [[Seventh United States Army|U. S. Seventh Army]] under the command of Lieutenant General [[George S. Patton]], sailed from Tunisia on 7 July,{{sfn|Champagne|2008|pp=47}}1943, for the [[Allied invasion of Sicily]], landing at [[Licata]] on 10 July.<ref name="CMH Pub 72-16">{{cite web|title=Sicily 1943|work=CMH Pub 72-16 |url=http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/72-16/72-16.htm|publisher=Center of Military History United States Army|access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref> Murphy was promoted to the rank of corporal on 15 July.{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=39}} Company B later took part in fighting around [[Canicattì]], during which Murphy killed two fleeing Italian officers.{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=40}} They arrived in [[Palermo]] on 20 July, and Murphy was sidelined by illness for a week. Allied capture of the transit port of [[Messina]] was crucial to taking Sicily from the Axis. En route there,{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=43}} Company B was assigned to a hillside location protecting a machine-gun emplacement, while the rest of the 3rd Infantry Division fought at [[San Fratello]].{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=44}} The Axis began their evacuation of Messina on 27 July. Although the 3rd Infantry Division's 7th Infantry Regiment secured the port on 17 August, the Axis had already completed their evacuation hours before.<ref name="CMH Pub 72-16"/> During the fighting in Sicily, Murphy became realistic about military duty: "I have seen war as it actually is, and I do not like it. But I will go on fighting."{{sfn|Murphy|2002|p=15}} =====Mainland invasion===== With Sicily secured from Axis forces, Supreme Commander General [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] made the decision to [[Allied invasion of Italy|invade Italy]] in early September 1943.<ref name="CMH Pub 72-17">{{cite web|title=Naples-Foggia 1943 1944|url=http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/naples/72-17.htm|work=CMH Pub 72-17 |publisher=Center of Military History United States Army|access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref> As part of the [[Salerno]] landings, the 3rd Infantry Division came ashore at [[Battipaglia]].{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=47}} One of the early skirmishes recounted by author Don Graham involved Murphy, his best friend Lattie Tipton (referred to as "Brandon" in Murphy's book ''To Hell and Back'') and an unnamed soldier in their unit as they traveled along the [[Volturno]] River. The trio were near a bridge when the third soldier was killed by German machine-gun fire. Tipton tossed hand grenades in the direction of the fire and Murphy responded with a [[Thompson submachine gun]], killing five German soldiers.{{sfn|Graham|1989|pp=47–48}} Allied forces entered [[Naples]] on 1 October.{{sfn|Atkinson|2008|p=239}} The 3rd Division took part in the Allied assault on the [[Volturno Line]].<ref name="CMH Pub 72-17"/>{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=47}} Near [[Mignano Monte Lungo]] Hill 193, Company B repelled a [[reconnaissance]] by seven German soldiers, killing three and taking four prisoners.{{sfn|Graham|1989|pp=48–49}} Murphy was promoted to sergeant on 13 December.<ref name="Service Record"/> By this time, the 3rd Infantry Division had suffered heavy casualties: 683 dead, 170 missing, and 2,412 wounded.{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=49}} =====Anzio===== The 3rd Infantry Division was notified in December 1943 of the planned January 1944 storming of [[Battle of Anzio|Anzio beachhead]], the beginning of the liberation of Rome. The division began training near Naples and practiced an amphibious landing at Salerno.{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=50}} Murphy was made section leader on 4 January<ref name="Service Record"/> and promoted to staff sergeant on 13 January.<ref name="Service Record"/> He was hospitalized in Naples with [[malaria]] on 21 January, and was unable to participate in the initial landing{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=50}} commanded by Major General [[John P. Lucas]].{{sfn|Kingseed|2006|p=126}} Murphy returned to his unit in time to take part in the unsuccessful [[Battle of Cisterna|First Battle of Cisterna]], which was fought between 30 January and 1 February.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Allied Offensive (30 January–1 February)|url=http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/anziobeach/anzio-allied.htm|work=Anzio Beachhead CMH Pub 100-10|publisher=Center of Military History United States Army|access-date=12 October 2013|pages=28–36}}</ref> It was the most fierce and sustained fighting Murphy had experienced to date. Lieutenant Colonel Michael Paulick, commander of the 1st Battalion of the 15th Infantry,{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=95}} temporarily took charge of Company B when the company commander's wounds left him unable to lead.{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=53}} Paulick later stated that the ensuing 3-day battle decimated the company, leaving fewer than 30 soldiers alive.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=95}} {{quote|If the suffering of men could do the job, the German lines would be split wide open. Replacements cannot begin to keep pace with the slaughter. Some of the companies have been reduced to twenty men. Not a yard of ground has been gained by the murderous three days of assault. A doomlike quality hangs over the beachhead.{{sfn|Murphy|2002|pp=108–109}}|Audie Murphy, ''To Hell and Back''}} Lucas was replaced in February by Truscott.{{sfn|Kingseed|2006|p=126}} Command of the 3rd Division went to Major General [[John W. O'Daniel|John "Iron Mike" O'Daniel]]. The men were forced back to Anzio and remained there for months. Taking shelter in an abandoned farmhouse on 2 March, their artillery fire disabled a German tank. Although the tank crew were killed as they tried to escape, Murphy knew the tank could be repaired by the Germans and put back into use. Leaving his men in the farmhouse, Murphy advanced towards the tank by crawling on his stomach. He then used rifle grenades to permanently put the tank out of commission. For this action, he received the [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] with [["V" Device]].{{sfn|Graham|1989|pp=58–59}}<ref name="Who Has the Most Medals">{{cite news|last=Tanber|first=George G.|title=Who Had More Medals? Depends on Who's Counting|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Mg0wAAAAIBAJ&pg=1938,4679328&dq=who-has-more-medals&hl=en|newspaper=Toledo Blade|date=5 May 2005|page=3 |access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref> Murphy continued to make scouting patrols to take German prisoners before being hospitalized for a week on 13 March with a second bout of malaria.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=100}} The 3rd Division was taken off the front line in late March and placed in reserve status. From 1 to 11 April, the Division was put through additional combat training at [[Torre Astura]]. The training was so intense that Murphy felt his men needed relief and refused to put them through the required close order drill. Although already recommended for a promotion to technical sergeant, his refusal on behalf of his men cost him the promotion.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|pp=100–101}} Upon completion of the training, Murphy and his men occupied the area of Campo Morto-Padigliano.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=101}} On 1 May, the 3rd Division was sent back to Torre Astura, where they remained until 21 May.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=102}} 61 infantry officers and enlisted men of Company B, 15th Infantry, including Murphy, were awarded the [[Combat Infantryman Badge]] on 8 May.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=102}} Murphy was also awarded an [[Oak Leaf Cluster]] for his Bronze Star.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=276}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Military Times |title=Hall of Valor |url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/209 |access-date=12 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004234717/http://projects.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=209 |archive-date=4 October 2013 }}</ref> The 3rd Division began its assault of German troops in the Second Battle of Cisterna on 22 May, and by 25 May, Cisterna and Cori were in Allied hands. Audie's platoon moved towards Artena on 26 to 27 May, regrouping with the Division at [[Valmontone]]. Combat action 29 May to 1 June put Valmontone and Labico under Allied control.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|pp=103–105}} After Rome was liberated, the Division was assigned to patrol the city 6 to 15 June. The Division was moved to southwest of Rome 16 June where they remained bivouacked until the end of July. Murphy was made platoon sergeant on 4 August.<ref name="Service Record"/> He moved out of Italy with the Division on 8 August 1944.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|pp=103–105}} ===European Theater=== ====Southern and southeastern France==== The U.S. Seventh Army under the command of Lieutenant General [[Alexander Patch]] was the initial amphibious landing force for the 15 August 1944 Allied invasion of southern France, known as [[Operation Dragoon]]. The 3rd Infantry Division was still under the command of Major General O'Daniel.<ref name="CMH Pub 72-31">{{cite web|title=Southern France |url=http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/sfrance/sfrance.htm |work=CMH Pub 72-31 |publisher=Center of Military History United States Army |access-date=12 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312030846/http://www.wwiiadt.com/Airborne_history/Dragoon.htm |archive-date=12 March 2007 }}</ref> At 0800 military time, they came ashore on Yellow Beach near [[Ramatuelle]]<ref name="Hollen">{{cite book|last=Hollen|first=Staff Sergeant Norman|title=Statement describing Murphy's August 15, 1944 actions near Ramatuelle, France|publisher=U.S. National Archives and Records Administration ARC Identifier 299779|url=https://research.archives.gov/description/299779 |date=December 1944|access-date=12 October 2013|series=File Unit: Official Military Personnel File of Audie Murphy, 1942–1945}}</ref> with the first wave of the assault.<ref name="CMH Pub 72-31"/> They began to move inland through a vineyard. As the 3rd Platoon progressed toward an incline, one of their light machine gun squads became separated. German soldiers began firing at them, initially killing one and wounding another. Murphy ran out alone to locate the lost squad and led them back to the unit. He then used the machine gun to return fire at the German soldiers, killing two and wounding one.<ref name="Hollen"/> When he relinquished the machine gun back to his men and took up a new position, he was joined by his best friend Lattie Tipton.<ref name="Hollen"/> At that moment, two Germans exited a house about {{convert|100|yd|m}} away, and feigned surrender by waving a white flag. Tipton believed it to be a real surrender gesture, and made himself visible, beckoning to the German soldiers to come towards him. He was immediately killed by machine gun fire coming from within the house. {{quote|I remember the experience as I do a nightmare. A demon seems to have entered my body. My brain is coldly alert and logical. I do not think of the danger to myself. My whole being is concentrated on killing.{{sfn|Murphy|2002|p=177}}|Audie Murphy, ''To Hell and Back''}} Murphy advanced alone on the house, seemingly impervious to the German fire being directed at him. He wounded two Germans, killed six, and took the others as prisoners. His actions that day took approximately one hour, during which he killed eight German soldiers, wounded three and took eleven as prisoners.<ref name="Hollen"/> Murphy received the [[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Distinguished Service Cross]].{{sfn|Brinkley|2004|p=191}}{{sfn|Champagne|2008|p=161}} During 27–28 August, at [[Montélimar]], Murphy and the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, along with the 36th Infantry Division, engaged in an offensive battle to secure the area from the Germans.<ref name="CMH Pub 72-31"/>{{sfn|Clarke|Smith|1993|p=166}} The 3rd and 36th Divisions took 500 prisoners in the city on 29 August.<ref name="CMH Pub 72-31"/> For these actions the 1st Battalion of the 15th Infantry Regiment received the [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]].{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=124}} ====Northeastern France==== The 3rd Infantry Division was part of an offensive plan to break through German resistance in northeastern France, as far as [[Saint-Dié-des-Vosges]].{{sfn|Clarke|Smith|1993|pp=285–296}} In the area of [[Genevreuille]] on 15 September 1944, Murphy narrowly escaped death from an exploding mortar shell that killed two others and wounded three. Although his resulting heel wound was not serious, he received his first [[Purple Heart]].{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=72}}{{sfn|Simpson|1975|page=128}} By this point, all but Murphy and two others of Company B's original group had either been killed or taken off the lines with wounds.{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=72}} General O'Daniel moved the 15th Infantry, 3rd Division to the [[Moselle]] and the [[Cleurie (river)|Cleurie]] valley in late September. Stone quarries dotted the hills and provided good defensive positions for the Germans. The 15th was met with fierce resistance north of St. Ame at the heavily fortified multi-tunneled L'Omet quarry.{{sfn|Clarke|Smith|1993|pp=285–296}} On 2 October at L'Omet, Murphy advanced alone to the location of a machine gun manned by a unit of German soldiers. Within {{convert|15|yd|m}} of the machine gun nest, he rose to his feet. "The Germans spot me instantly", he recalled. "The gunner spins the tip of his weapon toward me. But the barrel catches in a limb, and the burst whizzes to my right".{{sfn|Murphy|2002|p=209}} Murphy lobbed two hand grenades at the men, killing four and wounding three. He was awarded the [[Silver Star]] for this action.{{sfn|Brinkley|2004|page=191}} The 15th achieved success in its continued attack when Germans began evacuating the quarry on 5 October.{{sfn|Clarke|Smith|1993|pp=285–296}} On that date, Murphy, while carrying a [[SCR-536]] radio, advanced alone for {{convert|50|yd|m}} towards the Germans while they continually fired directly at him. Around {{convert|200|yd|m}} from the Germans' location, he relayed firing orders by radio to the artillery, and remained at his position alone for an hour directing his men. When Murphy's men finally took the hill, 15 German combatants were killed and 35 wounded. Murphy's actions earned him an Oak Leaf Cluster for his Silver Star.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|pages=131–135}} Murphy was awarded a battlefield commission to second lieutenant on 14 October, which elevated him to platoon leader.{{sfn|Fredriksen|2010|page=279}} Operation Dogface was the 3rd Infantry Division's support role for the [[VI Corps (United States)|VI Corps]] in securing [[Bruyères]] and [[Brouvelieures]], with the goal of getting the [[Sixth United States Army Group|U. S. Sixth Army Group]] through the [[Belfort Gap]] by November.{{sfn|Clarke|Smith|1993|pp=295–311}} While en route to Brouvelieures on 26 October, the 3rd Platoon of Company B was attacked by a group of German snipers. Murphy captured two before being shot in the hip by another sniper whom he in turn killed. {{quote|Because of the rain and the mud, we cannot be evacuated for three days. We lie on cots, six to a pyramidal tent, while the fever spreads through our flesh. Delirious men moan and curse.{{sfn|Murphy|2002|p=226}}|Audie Murphy, ''To Hell and Back''}} The wounded waited at an aid station for hours for their turn with a medic. After the 3-day delay caused by the weather, they were transported to the 3rd General Hospital at [[Aix-en-Provence]], where they were met with more delays before treatment and hospitalization.{{sfn|Graham|1989|pp=81–83}} [[Gangrene]] developed in Murphy's wound, for which he was treated with penicillin and multiple surgeries to remove the dead tissue. He remained hospitalized until 28 December 1944.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=137}} As a result of the injury, Murphy received the first Oak Leaf Cluster for his Purple Heart.{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=82}} =====Colmar Pocket===== [[File:Audie Murphy American Cotton Museum July 2015 38 (Audie Murphy's Mauser Model 98, Colt Model 1911, and M-1 Carbine).jpg|thumb|Murphy's [[M1911 pistol]], [[M1 carbine]], and (captured) [[Gewehr 98|Mauser Model 98]] on display at the [[Audie Murphy American Cotton Museum]]]] The [[Colmar Pocket]] was {{convert|850|sqmi|km2}} in the [[Vosges Mountains]] and had been held by German troops since November 1944.{{sfn|Clarke|Smith|1993|p=533}} Murphy was still hospitalized on 15 December when General O'Daniel moved the 3rd Infantry Division into the area.{{sfn|Clarke|Smith|1993|p=489}} Murphy described it as <blockquote> a huge and dangerous bridgehead thrusting west of the Rhine like an iron fist. Fed with men and materiel from across the river, it is a constant threat to our right flank; and potentially it is a perfect springboard from which the enemy could start a powerful counterattack.{{sfn|Murphy|2002|p=228}} </blockquote> He rejoined his platoon on 14 January 1945,{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=86}} the date Lieutenant General [[Jacob Devers]] ordered the 3rd Division reinforced by the [[28th Infantry Division (United States)|28th Infantry Division]].{{sfn|Clarke|Smith|1993|p=534}} The 3rd Division engaged in sixteen days of battle to secure the [[bridgehead]]s west of the Rhine at the Colmar Canal.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=163}}{{sfn|Clarke|Smith|1993|pp=536–537}} After crossing the [[Ill (France)|Ill river]] through the Riedwihr Woods on 24 January, the 3rd Division was ordered to the town of [[Holtzwihr]], where they met with a strong German counterattack.{{sfn|Clarke|Smith|1993|pp=543–544}} Two officers in the division were killed by mortar shells in an attack the following day during which Murphy was wounded in both legs, and for which he received a second Oak Leaf Cluster for his Purple Heart.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=153}} From its peak of 235 men, disease, injuries and casualties had reduced Company B's fighting strength to 18 men. Murphy being the only officer remaining on 26 January was made the company commander.{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=88}} The company awaited reinforcements as Murphy watched the approaching Germans, <blockquote> I see the Germans lining up for an attack. Six tanks rumble to the outskirts of Holtzwihr, split into groups of threes, and fan out toward either side of the clearing. Then wave after wave of white dots, barely discernible against the background of snow, start across the field. They are enemy infantrymen.{{sfn|Murphy|2002|p=238}} </blockquote> The Germans scored a direct hit on an [[M10 tank destroyer]], setting it on fire and causing its crew to abandon it.<ref name="Abramski">{{cite book|last=Abramski|first=Pvt. First Class Anthony V.|title=Statement describing Murphy's January 26, 1945 actions at Holtzwihr|publisher=U.S. National Archives and Records Administration ARC Identifier 299775|url=https://research.archives.gov/description/299775 |date=27 February 1945|access-date=12 October 2013|series=File Unit: Official Military Personnel File of Audie Murphy, 1942–1945}}</ref> Murphy ordered his men to retreat to positions in the woods, remaining alone at his post shooting his [[M1 carbine]] and relaying orders via his telephone while the Germans aimed fire directly at his position.<ref>{{cite book|last=Weispfenning|first=First Lieutenant Walter W.|title=Statement describing Murphy's January 26, 1945 actions at Holtzwihr|publisher=U.S. National Archives and Records Administration ARC Identifier 299785|url=https://research.archives.gov/description/299785 |date=18 April 1945|access-date=12 October 2013|series=File Unit: Official Military Personnel File of Audie Murphy, 1942–1945}}</ref> Murphy mounted the abandoned, burning tank destroyer and began firing its [[M2 Browning machine gun|.50 caliber machine gun]] at the advancing Germans, killing a squad crawling through a ditch towards him.<ref>{{cite book|last=Ware|first=Kenneth L.|title=Statement describing Murphy's January 26, 1945 actions at Holtzwihr|publisher=U.S. National Archives and Records Administration ARC Identifier 299784|url=https://research.archives.gov/description/299784 |date=18 April 1945|access-date=12 October 2013|series=File Unit: Official Military Personnel File of Audie Murphy, 1942–1945}}</ref> {{quote|It was like standing on top of a time bomb&nbsp;... he was standing on the TD chassis, exposed to enemy fire from his ankles to his head and silhouetted against the trees and the snow behind him.<ref name="Abramski"/>|Eyewitness account of Pvt. Anthony V. Abramski}} For an hour, Murphy stood on the tank destroyer returning German fire from foot soldiers and advancing tanks, during which he sustained a leg wound. He stopped only after he ran out of ammunition.<ref name="Abramski"/>{{quote|As if under the influence of some drug, I slide off the tank destroyer and, without once looking back, walk down the road through the forest. If the Germans want to shoot me, let them. I am too weak from fear and exhaustion to care.{{sfn|Murphy|2002|p=243}}|Audie Murphy, ''To Hell and Back''}} He rejoined his men with complete disregard for his own wound, leading them back to successfully repel the Germans. Only afterwards would he allow treatment of his leg wound, and still insisted on remaining with his men.<ref name="Abramski"/> {{quote|...&nbsp;during his indomitable one-man struggle, Lieutenant Murphy broke the entire attack of the Germans and held hard-won ground that it would have been disastrous to lose.<ref name="Brawley">{{cite web|last=Brawley|first=Sergeant Elmer C.|title=Statement describing Murphy's January 26, 1945 actions at Holtzwihr|publisher=U.S. National Archives and Records Administration ARC Identifier 299776|url=https://research.archives.gov/description/299776 |date=4 March 1945|access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref>|Eyewitness account of Sergeant Elmer C. Brawley}} While standing on the burning tank destroyer Murphy killed or wounded 50 Germans. For his actions that day he was awarded the [[Medal of Honor]].<ref name="MoH">{{cite web|title=World War II Medal of Honor Recipients M–S|access-date=12 October 2013|url=http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-m-s.html |publisher=Center of Military History United States Army}}</ref> On 4 February, Murphy led Company B in a battle to successfully rid the Jewish Cemetery near [[Biesheim]] of German troops holed up inside, killing six and taking the remainder prisoner. Two days later, Company B advanced to [[Neuf-Brisach]].{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=162}} By 8 February, the city of Colmar surrendered to combined Allied forces, ending the battle. The 3rd Division was charged with guarding the Rhine west bank 10 to 18 February.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=163}} Murphy was promoted to first lieutenant on 16 February.{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=95}} The 3rd Infantry Division was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its actions. which earned Murphy an Oak Leaf Cluster for the PUC awarded for action at Montelimar.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=164}} While the Division was stationed at [[Nancy, France|Nancy]], General O'Daniel held a ceremony on 5 March to award Murphy his previously won Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=164}} Murphy was reassigned as 15th Infantry Regiment liaison officer on 11 March. From then until 20 May, he was assigned to the Director for Plans and Operations, a non-combat assignment that moved with the regiment.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=164}} Although not authorized to do so, he did step out of that role when a message arrived that Company B's senior officers had been killed, leaving the unit in charge of an inexperienced officer. He commandeered a jeep, a driver and an interpreter and advanced to the [[Siegfried Line]] to successfully rescue the company.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=166}} =====Medal of Honor and other decorations===== [[File:Armymoh.jpg|thumb|right|Army version of the Medal of Honor]] Brigadier General Ralph B. Lovett and Lieutenant Colonel Hallet D. Edson recommended Murphy for the Medal of Honor for his actions at Holtzwihr,<ref>{{cite web|last=Edson|first=Lt. Colonel Hallet D..|title=Recommendation from Lt. Colonel Hallet D. Edson, 15th Infantry, to Award of Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Audie L. Murphy|publisher=U.S. National Archives and Records Administration ARC Identifier 299777|url=https://research.archives.gov/description/299777 |date=17 February 1945|access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lovett|first=Brigadier General R.B..|title=Recommendation from Brigadier General R.B. Lovett, to Lieutenant General A.M. Patch, for Audie L. Murphy to be awarded the Medal of Honor and General Patch's approval|publisher=U.S. National Archives and Records Administration ARC Identifier 299783|url=https://research.archives.gov/description/299783 |date=12 April 1945|access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref> the awarding of which was confirmed by an official press release on 24 May 1945. Near [[Salzburg]], [[Austria]] on 2 June,{{sfn|Willbanks|2011|page=234}} General Patch{{sfn|Tate|2006|pages=152–163}} presented Murphy with both the Medal of Honor and the Legion of Merit. As of that presentation, Murphy was then considered "the most decorated American soldier in World War II."{{sfn|Simpson|1975|pages=175–176}} When asked after the war why he had seized the machine gun and taken on an entire company of German infantry, Murphy replied simply, "They were killing my friends."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stripes.com/war-excerpt-about-staff-sgt-salvatore-giunta-s-actions-1.117774|title="War" excerpt about Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta's actions|newspaper=[[Stars and Stripes (newspaper)|Stars and Stripes]]|date=10 September 2010|access-date=16 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203224555/http://www.stripes.com/war-excerpt-about-staff-sgt-salvatore-giunta-s-actions-1.117774|archive-date=3 December 2010|url-status=live}}{{cite book|url=http://www.commandposts.com/2011/01/audie-murphy|title=Focus On Audie Murphy|work=Command Posts|publisher=MacMillan|first=Callie|last=Oettinger|date=26 January 2011|access-date=25 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226054028/http://www.commandposts.com/2011/01/audie-murphy/|archive-date=26 February 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> For his war-time service, Murphy had earned every Army combat award for valor available during his period of service.{{efn| name=valor|Murphy's war service was combat-related. Therefore, he did not receive the non-combat Soldier's Medal. Act of Congress (Public Law 446–69th Congress, 2 July 1926 (44 Stat. 780)) established the Soldier's Medal for heroism "as defined in 10 USC 101(d), at the time of the heroic act who distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving actual combat with the enemy."<ref>{{cite web|last=U.S. Army Regulation 600-8-22 |url=http://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/r600_8_22.pdf |title=Military Awards |publisher=Department of the Army Administrative Publications |date=23 June 2013 |at=chapter 2, section II, 3–14 |access-date=12 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017045050/http://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/r600_8_22.pdf |archive-date=17 October 2013 }}</ref> At the end of his World War II service, Murphy became known as America's most decorated soldier.<ref name="Life"/>{{sfn|Simpson|1975|pages=175–176}}}} He was awarded the [[American Campaign Medal]], the [[European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal]] with nine combat [[campaign star]]s (one silver representing 5, and 4 bronze) and one [[arrowhead device]] for amphibious landings in Sicily and Southern France, the [[World War II Victory Medal]], and the [[Army of Occupation Medal]] with [[Army of Occupation Medal#Germany Clasp|Germany Clasp]].<ref name="Who Has the Most Medals"/> On 16 April 1945, France awarded Murphy the [[Croix de guerre 1939–1945 (France)|French Croix de guerre]] with Silver Star,<ref name="De La Croix De Guerre">{{cite web|last=Dept. of Defense |title=De La Croix De Guerre Award for Murphy's services rendered during operations to liberate France|publisher=U.S. National Archives and Records Administration ARC Identifier 299782|url=https://research.archives.gov/description/299782 |date=16 April 1945|access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref> which was presented to him in Dallas on 15 September by U.S. Army Brigadier General William Albert Collier.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brgadier General William Albert Collier|url=http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/wacollier.htm|publisher=Arlington National Cemetery|access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref>{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=236}} At a public ceremony in Paris on 19 July 1948, French General [[Jean de Lattre de Tassigny]] presented Murphy the [[French Legion of Honor]] – [[Chevalier of the Legion of Honor|Grade of Chevalier]]<ref name="Chevalier">{{cite web|last=Dept. of Defense|title=Award of the "Au Grade De Chevalier" for Murphy's exceptional services rendered during operations to liberate France., 07/19/1948|publisher=U.S. National Archives and Records Administration ARC Identifier 299781|url=https://research.archives.gov/description/299781|access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref> and the French Croix de guerre with Palm.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|page=442}}<ref name="Chevalier"/> He was also the recipient of the [[French Liberation Medal]].{{efn|name=liberation|The medal appears on the official medal count as provided by the Army Resources Command Center to the ''Toledo Blade'', and in a 1979 letter to Pamela Murphy from the Army.<ref name="Who Has the Most Medals"/><ref>Office of the Adjutant General, Letter to Mrs. Audie Murphy, 29 April 1979</ref>}} Belgium awarded Murphy the [[Croix de guerre (Belgium)|Belgian Croix de guerre]] with 1940 Palm on 10 December 1955.{{efn|name=belgian|The Belgian award was forwarded to the U.S. Pentagon, pending Congressional approval, where the award remained until the United States Congress passed Public Law 89-673, Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act of 1966.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|page=410}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Public Law 89-673|url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-80/pdf/STATUTE-80-Pg952.pdf|publisher=U. S. GPO|access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref> The U.S. Army forwarded the award to Murphy on 16 March 1968.<ref>{{cite web|title=Scan of government documents on Awards, Decorations and Commendations|url=http://audiemurphy.com/documents/doc063/05_Awards,_Decorations,_and_Commendations.pdf|publisher=Audie L. Memorial Website|access-date=10 April 2014|pages=84–91}}</ref>}} The 3rd Infantry Division received the [[Croix de guerre 1939–1945 (France)|Croix de guerre]] with Palm as a unit award, and all individual members were awarded the [[Fourragère|French Fourragère]].{{sfn|Simpson|1975|page=442}} ===Homecoming and discharge=== Murphy received orders on 8 June 1945, to report to [[Fort Sam Houston]] in [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]], [[Texas]]. At a 13 June San Antonio homecoming parade held for returning Texas veterans, a quarter of a million people cheered Murphy, [[Charles P. Cabell]], Lucian Truscott, [[Harold L. Clark]] and others.{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=105}} He was then assigned to the Army Ground & Services Redistribution Station at the base and given 30 days leave. Murphy was the home grown hero, and on a visit to Dallas, the media followed his every move, interviewing and photographing him.{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=107}} Farmersville{{efn| name=farmersville|Although Murphy had been born near Kingston in Hunt County, the family moved around. His maternal grandparents lived in Farmersville, as did his sister Corinne Burns. Prior to entering the military, Murphy had been employed at Farmersville. He used Corinne's address as his address of record during World War II.<ref name="Service Record"/>}} pulled out all the stops, giving him an escort caravan, and five thousand local citizens showed up to hear a band concert and speeches in his honor.{{sfn|Graham|1989|pp=108–110}} He was the star attraction at the 2 to 4 July [[McKinney, Texas|McKinney]] rodeo where he opened the event every night.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=228}} The 16 July issue of ''Life'' magazine brought Murphy national attention when its cover story proclaimed him "most decorated" next to a smiling image of him in full dress uniform. Photographers for the magazine followed him to a birthday party in his honor, to his first civilian haircut since 1942, and around to visit friends and relatives.<ref name="Life">{{cite magazine|last=Life cover story |title=Life Visits Audie Murphy |magazine=Life |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fEgEAAAAMBAJ&q=life+magazine+july+16+1945+%22audie+murphy%22&pg=PA15 |date=16 July 1945|pages=94–97|access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref> While on leave, he discussed with family and friends the possibility of his enrolling in [[United States Military Academy|West Point]] and making the Army a lifetime career.<ref name="ALMscans"/><ref name="ALMscans2">{{cite web|title=Scan of service records 1953–1971|url=http://audiemurphy.com/documents/doc063/02_Service_Documents.pdf|publisher=Audie L. Murphy Memorial Website|access-date=27 October 2013}}</ref> Inquiries on his behalf had been sent through military channels before he left Europe, and Patch had encouraged him to enroll. Both Edson and Paulick had also counseled Murphy about attending the military academy, with Paulick offering to tutor him for the entrance examinations. Speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives [[Sam Rayburn]] supported the idea and offered to use his influence to help Murphy enroll at West Point. Murphy expressed concerns to Edison and others that his war injuries might prevent him from passing the physical examination required to enroll. [[Texas A&M University]] was another military school Murphy considered as a possibility. In the end, he enrolled in neither school.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|pp=231–233}} A belated [[Good Conduct Medal (United States)|Good Conduct Medal]] was presented to Murphy on 21 August.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Audie L. Murphy Memorial Website|title=Scan of Audie L. Murphy signed request for his Good Conduct Medal, addressed to the Commanding Officer at Fort Sam Houston|date=21 August 1945|url=http://www.audiemurphy.com/documents/doc017/GoodConductMedalRequest_21Aug45.pdf |access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref> He was discharged with the rank of first lieutenant at a 50 percent disability classification on 21 September and transferred to the Officers' Reserve Corps.{{efn|name=reserve|The Officers' Reserve Corps was originally one of several units of the United States Organized Reserve that also included the Enlisted Reserve Corps, Reserve Officers' Training Corps and the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Organized Reserve was restructured during the Korean War and renamed the United States Army Reserve. The new structure was divided into the Ready Reserve, Standby Reserve and Retired Reserve.<ref name="ALMscans"/><ref name="ALMscans2"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Army Reserve, a Concise History |url=http://www.usar.army.mil/ourstory/History/Documents/Concise%20History%20Brochure_FA_revised%20April%202013_web%20version.pdf |publisher=United States Army Reserve |access-date=16 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416205834/http://www.usar.army.mil/ourstory/History/Documents/Concise%20History%20Brochure_FA_revised%20April%202013_web%20version.pdf |archive-date=16 April 2014 }}</ref>}} ===Post-war trauma=== [[File:Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital, San Antonio, TX IMG 7759.JPG|thumb|200px|Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital in [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]]]] When Murphy returned from World War II, symptoms of [[Combat stress reaction|combat stress]] immediately became evident to family and friends. He was on medication for stomach problems and tightly wound, with any unexpected sound triggering a defensive reflex reaction to an imagined attack. When he slept, it was with a loaded pistol under his pillow.{{sfn|Whiting|2001|p=224}} Recurring nightmares had him reliving the war, repeatedly calling out to individual soldiers. Turning the lights on sometimes brought relief, if only to keep him from falling asleep again. He had waking graphic flashbacks that caused him to freeze, reliving a life-threatening moment on the battlefield.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|pp=229–230}} His first wife, [[Wanda Hendrix]], stated that he once held her at gunpoint.{{sfn|Curtis|Golenbock|2009|p=119}} She witnessed her husband being moved to tears by newsreel footage of German war orphans, guilt-ridden that his war actions might have been the cause of their having no parents. As others had noticed since his return from Europe, Hendrix said his dreams were punctuated with the battles he had fought. She tried to coax him into seeking psychiatric help.{{sfn|Graham|1989|pp=183–184, 189–190}} During a publicity tour in 1952, his dreams caused him to beat the wall of his motel room until his fists bled.{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=226}} His service medical records reveal that the Army was aware of the symptoms and provided sleeping pills. There is no indication that the military otherwise provided any counseling or treatment for his post-combat stress.{{sfn|Redfern|2007|pp=67–68}} Murphy briefly found a creative stress outlet in writing poetry after his Army discharge. His poem "The Crosses Grow on Anzio" appeared in his book ''[[To Hell and Back (Murphy book)|To Hell and Back]]'', {{sfn|Murphy|2002|p=125}} but was attributed to the fictitiously named Kerrigan.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|pp=373–376}} In the mid-1960s, he recognized his dependence on [[Placidyl]], and locked himself alone in a hotel room for a week to successfully break the addiction.{{sfn|Tate|2006|pp=152–163}}{{sfn|Graham|1989|pp=304–305}} His friend David "Spec" McClure who helped him write the book said he never recovered from the war.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|pp=229–230}} In an effort to draw attention to the combat–related problems of returning Korean War and [[Vietnam War]] veterans, Murphy spoke out candidly about his own problems.{{sfn|Redfern|2007|p=60}} He called on the government to give increased consideration and study to the emotional impact of combat experiences, and to extend [[Veteran's Administration]] benefits to cover combat stress treatment.{{sfn|Rosen |2012|pp=149–151}}{{sfn|O'Reilly|2010|pp=163–165}} {{quote|After the war, they took Army dogs and rehabilitated them for civilian life. But they turned soldiers into civilians immediately, and let 'em sink or swim.<ref name="Thomas 1960">{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=Bob|title=Post-war Story Kept on Ice|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1697&dat=19601121&id=HdMdAAAAIBAJ&pg=4976,1513874|newspaper=Park City Daily News|date=November 21, 1960|agency=AP|page=10}}</ref>|Audie Murphy}} ==Texas National Guard== [[File:Audie Murphy and MG H. Miller Ainsworth 14 July 1950.jpg|thumb|Murphy being sworn into the Texas National Guard by MG H. Miller Ainsworth, 14 July 1950]] The [[36th Infantry Division (United States)|36th Infantry Division]] was federalized as part of the United States Army during both World War I and World War II. It was called the Texas Division due to most of its members being from the [[Texas National Guard]]. During World War II, they were in Operation Dragoon and participated in the same battles to liberate Rome as Murphy had. At the end of the war, the 36th reverted to state control as part of the Texas National Guard.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dawson III|first=Joseph G.|title=Thirty-Sixth Infantry Division|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/qnt03|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=14 April 2014}}</ref> When the [[Korean War]] commenced on 25 June 1950, the 36th looked to recruit experienced veterans to help it gain federal recognition. Major General H. Miller Ainsworth and Brigadier General Carl L. Phinney were the 36th's commander and deputy commander respectively. Both men were acquaintances of Murphy, who at the time was being considered for the lead in [[The Red Badge of Courage (1951 film)|The Red Badge of Courage]]. He was having doubts about his acting career and was considering re-enlisting in the Army. The onset of the Korean War became the deciding factor in his returning to active military service, and he believed the 36th would be deployed to Korea.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=340}} On 14 July, Murphy was accompanied by Ainsworth to his physical examination at Camp Mabry. As of his swearing in with the rank of captain in the Guard, he received federal recognition of the promotion in rank from first lieutenant to captain. Attending a lunch for Murphy afterwards were Ainsworth, Phinney, 36th Chief of Staff Colonel James E. Taylor and the State Director of the [[Selective Service System|Selective Service]] Brigadier General Paul Wakefield. A press conference followed during which Murphy expressed his concerns that World War III was about to erupt.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|pp=340–341}} Murphy was initially assigned to the Intelligence Office headquarters, 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry as S-2, and attended the Guard's two-week summer training at [[Fort Hood]] as a range officer.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|pp=344–345}} 19 December 1950, Murphy was transferred to division headquarters as an aide to Ainsworth.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=344}} At the 1951 summer training camp at [[Fort Polk]], Louisiana, Murphy was in charge of training approximately 500 inexperienced new recruits in bayonet, marksmanship and close order drill.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|pp=345–346}} Fellow instructor Captain Tom Berry remembered, "In my opinion, Audie Murphy set the tone for the obvious high ''esprit de corps'' for the 36th Division which lasted throughout my association with the Division [eighteen years]. Audie Murphy walked the way he talked."{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=350}} On 1 October 1951, he requested a transfer to inactive status due to his film commitments with MGM Studios.<ref name="ALMscans2"/> On 21 January 1952, Murphy was relieved of his assignment as aide. Fort Hood was the location of the 1952 summer training camp, during which Murphy was in charge of field application of classroom training.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|page=347}} The 1953 summer training at Fort Hood once again had Murphy in charge of bayonet training. The [[Korean Armistice Agreement]] was signed on 27 July, without the 36th having been called up.<ref>{{cite web|title=Text of the Korean War Armistice Agreement|url=http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/korea/kwarmagr072753.html|work=FindLaw|access-date=14 April 2014}}</ref> He missed the 1954 summer training camp due to his location shooting for ''[[To Hell and Back (film)|To Hell and Back]]'' {{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=348}} During his service, he granted the Guard permission to use his name and image in recruiting materials. His activities aside from being an instructor at the training camps also included touring the state to make unit inspections and to visit local commanders. On 22 June 1955, Murphy requested a temporary waiver of his Army disability pension from the Veteran's Administration while he was put on active duty with the Guard.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=342}} 6 July 1955, at his request, Murphy's status with the Guard was changed back to active. In doing so, he hoped to be promoted to the rank of major, in spite of his being short on the requirement of first serving seven years as a captain. He was recommended by several superior officers; Major General K. L. Berry, Adjutant General of the Texas National Guard, requested a waiver for the 7-year requirement to the National Guard Bureau in Washington D.C. The waiver was granted and Murphy was promoted by the Guard to major on 14 February 1956, receiving federal recognition of the promotion in rank from captain to major.<ref name="ALMscans2"/> Upon attaining the new rank, Murphy and General Phinney toured the state of Texas to help promote the "Guard Muster Recruiting Drive" set for 22 February.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|pp=343–349}} 1 July 1957, Murphy transferred back to inactive status, and remained inactive until his separation from the Guard as of 7 November 1966. On 8 November 1966, he transferred to the United States Army Reserve, {{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=339}} and remained with the USAR until his 1969 transfer to the Retired Reserve.{{efn|name=reserve}}<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Audie L. Murphy Memorial Website|title=Scan of Retired Reserve request|url=http://www.audiemurphy.com/documents/doc033/Req_Retired_Reserves_18Apr69.pdf|date=18 April 1969 |access-date=14 April 2014}}</ref> On 18 August 2013, Texas Governor [[Rick Perry]] signed bill HCR3, which authorized the awarding of the [[Texas Legislative Medal of Honor]] to Murphy. It is the highest military decoration that may be awarded to a member of the Texas military, and was awarded in recognition of Murphy's combined military service in the Army and the Guard.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bill HCR3|url=http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=832&Bill=HCR3|work=Texas Legislature Online|publisher=State of Texas|access-date=14 April 2014}}</ref> The medal was presented to Murphy's sister Nadine at a public ceremony in Farmersville, Texas on 29 October 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gov. Perry Awards Audie Murphy Texas Legislative Medal of Honor|url=http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/19046/|publisher=Office of the Governor of the State of Texas|access-date=14 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516214341/http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/19046/|archive-date=16 May 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> ==Dates of rank== {| class="wikitable" ! Insignia !! Rank !! Component !! Date |- |align="center" |No insignia || [[Private (rank)|Private]] || [[Army of the United States]] || 30 June 1942 |- |align="center" | [[File:US_Army_WWII_PFC.svg|30px]] || [[Private First Class]] || Army of the United States || 7 May 1943 |- |align="center" | [[File:US_Army_WWII_CPL.svg|30px]] || [[Corporal]] || Army of the United States || 15 July 1943 |- |align="center" | [[File:US_Army_WWII_SGT.svg|30px]] || [[Sergeant]] || Army of the United States || 13 December 1943 |- |align="center" | [[File:US_Army_WWII_SSGT.svg|30px]] || [[Staff Sergeant]] || Army of the United States || 13 January 1944 |- |align="center" | [[File:US-O1 insignia.svg|13px]] || [[US Second Lieutenant|Second Lieutenant]] || Army of the United States || 14 October 1944 |- |align="center" | [[File:US-O2 insignia.svg|13px]] || [[US First Lieutenant|First Lieutenant]] || Army of the United States || 16 February 1945 |- |align="center" | [[File:US-O2 insignia.svg|13px]] || [[US First Lieutenant|First Lieutenant]] || [[United States Army Reserve|Officer Reserve Corps]] || 21 September 1945 |- |align="center" | [[File:US-O3 insignia.svg|33px]] || [[Captain (U.S. Army)|Captain]] || [[Army National Guard|Texas National Guard]] || 14 July 1950 |- |align="center" | [[File:US-O4 insignia.svg|40px]] || [[Major (United States)|Major]] || Texas National Guard || 14 February 1956 |- |align="center" | [[File:US-O4 insignia.svg|40px]] || [[Major (United States)|Major]] || [[United States Army Reserve|Army Reserve]] || 8 November 1966 |- |align="center" | [[File:US-O4 insignia.svg|40px]] || [[Major (United States)|Major]] || Retired Reserve || 22 May 1969 |- |} <ref>National Guard Register, 1957. p. 659.</ref> ==Death== {{Main|1971 Colorado Aviation Aero Commander 680 crash}} In his civilian life, Murphy was at odds with what he perceived as an innate film industry culture of phoniness,{{sfn|Graham|1989|pp=170,313, 217,251–252}} once likening his own acting career to prostitution.<ref>{{cite news|last=Scott|first=Vernon|title=One-Time Hero Audie Murphy Is Now Broke and In Debt|page=9|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1774&dat=19680922&id=1jsgAAAAIBAJ&pg=7368,5127401|newspaper=Sarasota Herald Tribune|date=22 September 1968|access-date=20 April 2014}}</ref> He was uncomfortable being an iconic war hero, and felt used because of that image.{{sfn|Graham|1989|p=127}} However, he often spoke of his kinship with the military, "I have to admit that I love the damned Army. It was father, mother, brother to me for years. It made me somebody, gave me self-respect."{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=231}} Although he was officially retired from the military when he died in a private plane crash on 28 May 1971 at Brush Mountain, near [[Catawba, Virginia|Catawba]], Virginia, his ties to the military and to his home state were evident in the aftermath.<ref>{{cite news|last=Landon|first=Tom|title=Audie Murphy crash site now well marked|url=http://www.roanoke.com/news/columns_and_blogs/columns/whats_on_your_mind/audie-murphy-crash-site-now-well-marked/article_d2b6682a-b8ba-56aa-b715-09083e25121b.html |newspaper=The Roakoke Times|date=9 June 2013|access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref> [[File:Audie-Murphy-Monument.jpg|right|thumb|upright|Monument at the site of the plane crash in which Audie Murphy died]] The Texas state legislature ordered all flags on state buildings to be flown at half staff to honor Murphy.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=393}} The memorial service held in his hometown of Farmersville, Texas, was in part sponsored by the Thomas Glenn Caraway Post of the [[Veterans of Foreign Wars|VFW]], and Farmersville businesses closed their doors for an hour in memoriam.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=392}} His eulogy at the memorial service in the [[Hollywood Hills]] was delivered by an Army chaplain. While very few Hollywood celebrities attended, among the mourners were six Medal of Honor recipients, General John W. O'Daniel and several 3rd Infantry Division veterans who had fought with him.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|pp=391–392}} A month later, on 4 July, Sacramento, California, canceled its annual [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] parade because Murphy was to have been the grand marshal. In its place a memorial service at Capitol Park was attended mostly by veterans.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=393}} He was buried at [[Arlington National Cemetery]] with full military honors on 7 June. The U.S. Army Band marched in front of six black horses that pulled the caisson with his flag-draped casket from [[Fort Myer]] Chapel to the cemetery. Among the mourners at the cemetery were government dignitaries and multiple veterans groups.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|pp=393–394}} As a result of legislation introduced by U.S. Congressman [[Olin Teague]] five months after Murphy's death in 1971, the [[Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital|url=http://www.southtexas.va.gov/locations/directions.asp|publisher=U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs|access-date=11 January 2014}}</ref> in San Antonio, now a part of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, was dedicated in 1973.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs|title=About the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS)|url=http://www.southtexas.va.gov/About/index.asp|access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Teague|first=Congressman Olin|title=Designating the Veteran's Administration Hospital in San Antonio Texas As the Audie L. Murphy Veterans' Memorial Hospital|url=http://www.audiemurphy.com/congress_001.htm|work=Congressional Record|location=Washington, D.C.|date=13 October 1971|publisher=Audie L. Murphy Memorial Website|access-date=27 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111213655/http://www.audiemurphy.com/congress_001.htm|archive-date=11 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> VFW Post 5311 in Virginia worked for 3 years with the [[United States Forest Service]] for permission to erect a monument at the site of Murphy's death. Made from a donated granite slab and carved by a stonecutter who volunteered his services, other expenses involved were paid for by Post 5311. Members dug the road and cleared the area where the monument was dedicated on 10 November 1974.{{sfn|Simpson|1975|p=390}} ==Notes== ===Footnotes=== {{notelist}} ===Citations=== {{Reflist}} ==References== {{refbegin|30em}} * {{cite book |last=Atkinson|first=Rick|title=The Day of Battle: The War in Sicily and Italy, 1943–1944|year=2008|publisher=Henry Holt|location=New York, NY|isbn=978-0-8050-8861-8}} * {{cite book |last=Brinkley|first=Douglas|title=The World War II Desk Reference|year=2004|publisher=Collins Reference|location=New York, NY|isbn=978-0-06-052651-1|url=https://archive.org/details/worldwariideskre00brin}} * {{cite book |last=Champagne|first=Daniel R.|title=Dogface Soldiers: The Story of B Company, 15th Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division: from Fedala to Salzburg, Audie Murphy and His Brothers in Arms|year=2008|publisher=Merriam Press|location=Bennington, VT|isbn=978-1-4357-5767-7}} * {{cite book | last1=Clarke| first1=Jeffrey J| last2=Smith| first2=Robert Ross| series=United States Army in World War II| title=Riviera to the Rhine| url=https://archive.org/details/CMHPub7101RivieraToTheRhine-nsia| location=Washington, D.C.| publisher=Center of Military History, United States Army| year=1993| isbn=978-0-16-025966-1}} * {{cite book |last1=Curtis|first1=Tony|last2=Golenbock|first2=Peter|title=American Prince: A Memoir|year=2009|publisher=Three Rivers Press|location=New York, NY|isbn=978-0-307-40856-3}} * {{cite book | last=Graham | first=Don | title=No Name on the Bullet | publisher=Viking | year=1989 | location=New York, NY | isbn=978-0-670-81511-1 | url=https://archive.org/details/nonameonbulletbi00grah }} * {{cite book |last=Fredriksen|first=John C.|title=The United States Army: A Chronology, 1775 to the Present|year=2010|publisher=ABC-CLIO|location=Santa Barbara, CA|isbn=978-1-59884-344-6}} * {{cite book |last=Kingseed|first=Cole C.|title=Old Glory Stories: American Combat Leadership in World War II|year=2006|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, MD|isbn=978-1-59114-440-3}} * {{cite book | last=Murphy |first=Audie | title=To Hell and Back | publisher=Henry Holt and Co| year=2002|orig-year=First published 1949 |location=New York |isbn=978-0-8050-7086-6}} * {{cite book |last=O'Reilly|first=Bill|title=Pinheads and Patriots: Where You Stand in the Age of Obama|year=2010|publisher=William Morrow|location=New York, NY|isbn=978-0-06-195071-1|url=https://archive.org/details/pinheadspatriots00orei_0}} * {{cite book | last=Redfern|first=Nick | title=Celebrity Secrets Official Government Files on the Rich and Famous| publisher=Paraview Pocket Books | year=2007| location=New York | isbn= 978-1-4165-2866-1}} * {{cite book|last=Rosen|first=David M |title=Child Soldiers|year=2012|publisher=ABC-CLIO|location=Santa Barbara, CA|isbn=978-1-59884-526-6|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/childsoldiersref0000rose}} * {{cite book |last=Simpson|first=Harold B.|title=Audie Murphy, American Soldier|year=1975|publisher=Hill Jr. College Press|location=Hillsboro, TX|isbn=978-0-912172-20-0}} * {{cite book|last=Smith|first=David A.|title=The Price of Valor: The Life of Audie Murphy, America's Most Decorated Hero of World War II|publisher=[[Regnery History]]|year=2015|isbn=978-1-62157-317-3}} * {{cite book|last=Tate|first=J. R |title=Walkin' with the Ghost Whisperers|year=2006|publisher=Stackpole Books|location=Philadelphia, PA|isbn=978-0-8117-4544-4}} * {{cite book |last=Whiting|first=Charles|title=America's Forgotten Army: The Story of the U.S. Seventh|year=2001|publisher=St. Martin's Paperbacks|location=Rockville Centre, NY|isbn=978-0-312-97655-2}} * {{cite book |last=Willbanks|first=James H|title=America's Heroes: Medal of Honor Recipients from the Civil War to Afghanistan|year=2011|publisher=ABC-CLIO|location=Santa Barbara, CA|isbn=978-1-59884-394-1|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/childrenduringho0000hebe}} {{refend}} ==External links== * {{Commons category-inline|Audie Murphy}} {{authority control}} {{Audie Murphy}} {{Portal bar|Biography}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Murphy, Audie military}} [[Category:United States Army personnel of World War II]] [[Category:United States Army Medal of Honor recipients]] [[Category:Knights of the Legion of Honour]] [[Category:Recipients of the Croix de guerre (Belgium)]] [[Category:Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France)]] [[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]] [[Category:Recipients of the Silver Star]] [[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)]] [[Category:United States Army officers]] [[Category:World War II recipients of the Medal of Honor]] [[Category:Audie Murphy]] [[Category:Military careers by individual]]'