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George C. Marshall || AUDIE L. MURPHY
Keith L. Ware || Lucian Adams
Russell E. Dunham || Wilburn K. Ross
John J. Tominac || James P. Connor
David C. Waybur || Otto Skorzeny
Hiroshi Oshima
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AUDIE LEON MURPHY (1924-1971) continues to hold the distinction as America's most decorated combat soldier. Murphy was awarded 33 medals during his three years of service as an infantry soldier in the 15th Regiment of the 3rd Division. Murphy received the Medal of Honor for action in the Colmar Pocket and was discharged with the rank of major.
From a tragic start in rural Texas to a hero of WWII, Murphy at age 22 landed in Hollywood and worked his way to a Universal-International contract in 1950 where he made 26 films (mostly Westerns) over 15 years. Murphy starred in the film version of his 1950 best-selling autobiography To Hell and Back released by Universal in 1955. It was the studio's best-selling film until Jaws in 1975. Over the span of 25 years, Murphy made 44 films.
Outside of Hollywood, Murphy kept in touch with his Texas roots. He owned ranches, bred racehorses, married twice, had two children and gambled. He was also an accomplished songwriter for artists like Dean Martin and Eddy Arnold.
In the 1960s, Murphy spoke publicly about "Battle Fatigue" after a frightful sleeping pill addiction. Murphy's candid commentary on his experiences with what is now called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is well-documented.
Murphy declared bankruptcy two year's before his death on Memorial Day weekend in 1971. The 46-year-old Murphy was buried with full military honors at Arlington. His burial site is second to President Kennedy's in annual visits.
He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on January 26, 1945 at Holtzwihr, France and it was presented to him in Salzburg, Austria on June 2, 1945.
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty on 26 January 1945, while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action at Holtzwihr, France. Second Lieutenant Murphy commanded Company B, which was attacked by six tanks and waves of infantry. Second Lieutenant Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to prepared positions 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. Second Lieutenant Murphy continued to direct artillery fire which killed large numbers of the advancing enemy infantry. With the enemy tanks abreast of his position, Second Lieutenant Murphy climbed on the burning tank destroyer, which was in danger of blowing up at any moment, and employed its .50 caliber machinegun 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. For an hour the Germans tried every available weapon to eliminate Second Lieutenant Murphy, but he continued to hold his position and wiped out a squad which was trying to creep up unnoticed on his right flank. Germans reached as close as ten yards, only to be mowed down by his fire. He received a leg wound, but ignored it and continued the single-handed fight until his ammunition was exhausted. He then made his way to his company, refused medical attention, and organized the company in a counterattack which forced the Germans to withdraw. His directing of artillery fire wiped out many of the enemy; he killed or wounded about 50. Second Lieutenant Murphy’s indomitable courage and his refusal to give an inch of ground saved his company from possible encirclement and destruction, and enabled it to hold the woods which had been the enemy’s objective.
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