Audie Murphy

Audie Leon Murphy (June 20, 1924 to May 28, 1971), was the United States' most decorated combat soldier of World War II. He later became an actor and singer/songwriter. Among his thirty three awards and decorations was the Medal of Honor, the highest military award for bravery that can be given to any individual in the United States of America, for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty." Murphy received every decoration for valor that the U.S. had to offer, some of them more than once, and five decorations by France and Belgium. He served three years active service as a combat soldier in World War II. Murphy became one of the best fighting combat soldiers of this or any other century. What Murphy accomplished during this period is most significant and probably will never be repeated by another soldier, given today's high-tech type of warfare. The U.S. Army has always declared that there will never be another Audie Murphy. Murphy was released from the Army as an active member and reassigned to inactive status on September 21 1945.

Related Topics:
June 20 - 1924 - May 28 - 1971 - United States - World War II - Actor - Medal of Honor - United States of America - France - Belgium - September 21 - 1945

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Audie Murphy was the son of poor Texas sharecroppers, Emmett and Josie Bell Murphy. He was born near Kingston, Texas (Hunt County). He grew up in nearby Celeste, Texas (Hunt County). He went to school in Celeste until the eighth grade when he dropped out to help raise his family. He also lived in the rural area of Farmersville and later at Greenville, Texas. Murphy was the sixth of twelve children, only nine of whom survived to see their eighteenth birthday. Food was scarce and the Murphy family was very poor. Before his ninth birthday, he had become a decent shot, hunting rabbits and squirrels to help put food on the table. Sometimes he could only afford a single shell in his rifle to supply meat for his family of nine brothers and sisters. He became very good shot, a skill which served him well later in life. In 1936, when Murphy was twelve, his father Emmett Murphy, deserted the family and never returned. At twelve, Murphy left school and was hired out as a farmer's helper, ploughing and picking cotton at a dollar a day to help make ends meet. He also went to work in a combination general store, garage and filling station in Greenville, Texas. At sixteen, Audie was working in a radio repair shop when tragedy struck again. He became an orphan when his mother, Josie Bell, passed away. He had to place the three youngest siblings in an orphanage according to his mother's last wish.

Related Topics:
Kingston - Texas - Celeste - Farmersville - Greenville

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Murphy married actress, Wanda Hendrix in 1949. They were divorced in 1951. He did not have any children with Hendrix. He subsequently married Pamela Archer in 1951, with whom he had two children, Terry Michael Murphy (born 1952) and James Shannon Murphy (born 1954). Murphy was also a successful rancher and businessman. He bred and raised thoroughbred horses and owned several ranches in Texas, Tucson, Arizona and Perris, California.

Related Topics:
Wanda Hendrix - Texas - Tucson - Arizona - Perris - California

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In 1955, Murphy became interested in Freemasonry. He was encouraged by his close friend, Texas theater owner Skipper Cherry, to petition and join the Masonic Order in California. He returned to Texas to conduct his thirty two degree work and to join the Shriners. Murphy remained active in various masonic events and was a member of good standing at the time of his death in 1971.

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Murphy ran into a streak of bad financial luck and was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1968.

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