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Nothing could be more appropriate this Veterans Day than to remember America’s most decorated WW II veteran, Major Audie L. Murphy. Perhaps you have never heard of Major Audie L. Murphy? Maybe you have seen a film with a star named Audie Murphy, or perhaps your parents mentioned his name? Audie Murphy, soldier or film star, came to exemplify the spirit once known as being an American. Being decorated, as Murphy would have said, does not make the brave special, the honor and integrity within them does.
Audie Murphy was a slight man in physical stature, only a little over 5 feet 5 inches tall – and thin, in fact he was turned down by most branches of the service when he tried to serve at the start of WW II. Even the US Army, after finally taking him, wanted to make a cook out of him. Later on, those who suggested such a thing would surely be convinced never to judge character by appearances. Murphy was not only one of the most highly decorated soldiers who ever lived (from any nation), but a man who’s country somehow recognized and loved. His grave at Arlington National Cemetery is the second most visited grave site to this day, right behind that of President John F. Kennedy.

The Last Full Measure

So many have offered themselves up, exemplifying what Abraham Lincoln termed; “The last full measure of devotion.” To be honest, today it seems like so many do not even know what devotion is, let alone sacrificing themselves for a greater good. Of course, this is not the case, as we see tens of thousands in removed parts of the globe, doing something called duty. This is how Lietenant Audie Murphy looked at his deeds, as his duty and nothing more. An article here is does not offer enough space to reveal more than a fragment about this extraordinary human being. I will instead quote a portion of the citation Murphy received when he accepted the Congressional Medal of Honor, the most notable of his 33 awards for valor from the United States and other Allied countries. In encourage all the readers to visit the Wikipedia reference pages for Audie Murphy. Honor him and his comrades as they did you.

“Citation: Second Lt. Murphy commanded Company B, which was attacked by six tanks and waves of infantry. 2d Lt. Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to a prepared position in a woods, while he remained forward at his command post and continued to give fire directions to the artillery by telephone. Behind him, to his right, one of our tank destroyers received a direct hit and began to burn. Its crew withdrew to the woods. 2d Lt. Murphy continued to direct artillery fire, which killed large numbers of the advancing enemy infantry. With the enemy tanks abreast of his position, 2d Lt. Murphy climbed on the burning tank destroyer, which was in danger of blowing up at any moment, and employed its .50 caliber machine gun against the enemy. He was alone and exposed to German fire from three sides, but his deadly fire killed dozens of Germans and caused their infantry attack to waver. The enemy tanks, losing infantry support, began to fall back…..He received a leg wound, but ignored it and continued his single-handed fight until his ammunition was exhausted. He then made his way back to his company, refused medical attention, and organized the company in a counterattack, which forced the Germans to withdraw.”

This was not the first time Murphy was honored, and during his lifetime he championed the cause of his comrades even as an actor in Hollywood. Murphy became one of the most popular western stars of his era, one of his films, To Hell and Back, being Universal Studios’ highest grossing film until Jaws in 1975. In all Murphy made 44 films, and has a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. But fame and fortune were not goals for Audie Murphy, they were the results of the integrity and undeniable courage and character he exhibited in his lifetime.
Not many know this, but Audie Murphy suffered from post traumatic stress disorder after the war (PTSD). At the time PTSD, or shell shock as it was called in WW I, was a very taboo subject. No one wanted to even recognize its existence, In true form, Murphy rebelled against such idiocy and supported veterans needs and causes until his death. Also, when the Korean War broke out, Murphy inlisted again – eventually attaining the rank of Major. Audie Murphy died tragically in 1971 when his private plane crashed killing he, his pilot, and four other passengers.
As a final indicator of Audie Murphy’s character, the reader should know that it is customary for Medal of Honor recipients buried at Arlington to have their grave markers adorned with 24 carat gold leaf. Murphy had requested that his remain simple and plain, just like the ordinary soldier. An unknown person still maintains a small American flag which adorns Murphy’s inconspicuous stone. I leave the reader with a list of Murphy’s most notable awards for courage and valor, followed by a 2006 tribute to those who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington – you should go there – you will never forget it.

WW II Citations for Lieutenant Audie Murphy

• The Congressional Medal of Honor
• The Distinguished Service Cross
• Two Silver Stars – with oak leaf clusters
• The Legion of Merit
• Two Bronze Stars
• Three Purple Hearts – for separate engagments
• The Legion of Honor – France’s highest award
• Two Croix de Guerre awards from France
• The Croix de Guerre from Belgium

Murphy’s other significant awards are too numerous to list here, literally. All that really needs to be said, has been, save one small footnote uttered by a comrade on seeing Murphy’s understated headstone at Arlington; “Like the man, the headstone is too small.” Indeed. The little guy from Texas did us all proud.