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The Life and Times of Audie Leon Murphy
Audie Leon Murphy was born on a sharecropper’s farm in North Texas June 21, 1921 to the parents of Emmett and Josie Murphy. Audie was the third son and the seventh child. The child was to be called “Audie” after a close friend and neighbor. Audie’s eldest sister, Elizabeth was given the privilege of choosing her brothers middle name. She decided on “Leon”, which translates into “lion” in Spanish. This name would later typify his battlefield achievements later on in his life. As a child and young teen, Audie would have most of his friends call him Leon (Simpson 15). “Murph” was the name most of his Army buddies called him. Luckily, the Army’s penchant for correctness listed him on orders and press releases as “Audie L. Murphy” and he became famous by this name. After the war, Audie was referred to as just Audie Murphy. Only when he signed important documents would he sign them with his full name, “Audie Leon Murphy” (Simpson 22).
Audie was a born hunter. His ability, according to his friends, to sight, stalk, and shoot game was uncanny. He displayed unusual accuracy with weapons from rocks to rifles. This would be a gift too that would later save his life. Both his eyesight and hearing were almost perfect. These characteristics, along with the “luck of the Irish,” would able him to survive the front lines of combat. Audie loved a good fistfight. He would never go looking for one, but he never ran from one either. Many times, his brother Charles and he would spend their day consisting of shooting a snuff can out of their hands at distances out to fifty feet (Hibbs).
Audie’s belief in God was very positive. Although not a member of a particular faith, he did attend Sunday school and worship service most every Sunday, before joining the military. During the war, Audie carried a copy of the New Testament with him daily. The particular copy is well worn and now on display in the Greenville, Texas Public Library. Audie joined the Masonic Order in Dallas in 1957. This ancient and respected fraternal order is dedicated to the concepts of Christian living and exemplified by the Golden Rule (Simpson 25).
He had many jobs as a young child. Audie would pick cotton in the fields for as little a dollar a day. He was paid rather well at the time, due to many of his employers believing he did a mans job, so he was paid a mans salary. Audie worked as a field hand, a clerk at a grocery store, pumped gas at a fueling station and his last job was as a radio repairman. He was never afraid to get his hands dirty.
After his father left town unexpectedly, and his mother passed away, Audie and the remaining Murphy family was turned over to the care of the states. He was an orphan at the age of sixteen. He hated the fact that his brothers and sisters would be taken to different homes far a part from each other. Even through the moves, Audie somehow remained close ties to his Sister Corinne.
Audie’s interest into the Army came from his Mothers two brothers who had served in WWI. They had revealed stories to him on France and the action they had seen. Audie as a child knew he would always be a Soldier from that point on. He told his Uncle that “one day I aim to be a Soldier” (Murphy 5). His uncle replied: “a sojer, what fer”. “You want to get fighting, start with these weeds in the field” (Murphy 5). Audie just shook it off for the moment, however, deep down; he knew he would enlist.
After being refused enlistment from both the Paratroopers and the Marines for being under weight and too small, he enlisted into the US Army shortly after his eighteen birthday. Due again to his boyish looks, the Army recruiter required a signed affidavit from his sister attesting to his age (Simpson 45). Once this document was completed, he reported on 30 June 1942 for his bus ride to Dallas. Here he would be officially sworn in. Audie completed Basic Training at Camp WaltersTexas and advanced training at Ft. MeadeMaryland.
Afterwards, newly promoted PV2 Murphy boarded the USAT Hawaiian Shipper bound for North Africa. On the morning of 20February 1943, he landed on North Africa (Simpson 54). Roughly a week later, he was fortunate enough to be assigned to the famous Fifteenth Infantry Regiment of the Third Infantry Division, one of the most outstanding regiments in American history. Audie was assigned to Company B, under the command of LT W. H. Reeves in the area of Tunisia. He served as the platoon messenger, since they believed he could not possibly be capable of much more, due to his size. He remained in this position until well after the landing into Sicily. It was here that Audie became a compulsive gambler. This vice would haunt him the rest of his life. While this gamblers instinct contributed to his success and survival in combat, after the war it became a major problem (Simpson 67).
On 7 May 1943, now out of Tunsisia, in an area near eastern Algeria, Audie received his first promotion. He was now a bona fide PFC (Private First Class). For just over two months, Audie served as the runner. He consistently volunteered for patrol duty on a daily basis, occasionally slipping out with one or two weekly. In mid July, the Company Commander called Audie to the CP (Command Post). He had tried once again to allow Audie to remain as a runner, but Audie insisted that he needed to be on patrol duty. He got his wish. Only this time, he was promoted to Corporal (CPL) and sent directly to the front lines never to be a runner again (Murphy 11).
Soon after arriving on the front lines, CPL Murphy saw his first causality. There was a bombardment of heavy artillery fire on the beaches of Sicily. One of the Soldiers in B Co was hit. Griffin was dead. “Get his ammo, he won’tneed it and you will,” were the words Audie heard (Hibbs). He did as he was told and quickly shook it off. Not much longer, Audie was on patrol and blacked out. When taken to the medics, he was diagnosed with Malaria. A week later, he was cleared to return to the front lines (Murphy 12).
While in Canicatti, on a particular patrol, the Italians were outnumbered. As part of the lead element, he came upon two Italian Officers. Realizing they had just been overwhelmed, they quickly mounted their horses and rode off. Audie, without hesitation dropped to one knee, fired two shots and stood up. By the time he was standing, the two Officers had already fallen dead (Murphy 10). Audie was a much better shot when he fired instinctively and upon reflex than having to aim his sights. This quick shooting would save his life several times during the war.
Soon after entering Palermo, He suffered from influenza and was hospitalized again. This time he spent five days in the hospital and was released just in time to rejoin his unit for more action. This was the first of three respiratory infections he would suffer during the war.
Audie had survived his first active campaign without a scratch. Although he was hospitalized for two short periods, he had seen his first American casualty. Not to mention the many enemy casualties that had fallen to his quick accuracy with a rifle. He had participated in an amphibious landing, several fire fights and one major engagement. He had his first experience in patrolling and probing. This was a battlefield art in which he would become much more proficient.
Audie was present for duty during the entire time the Division fought in Italy except two. In early January and again in March of 1944, he was hospitalized again for two severe attacks of influenza. He was also promoted two more times during the Italian campaign. On 13 Dec 1943, he was promoted to Sergeant (SGT). Then on 13 Jan 1944, he made Staff Sergeant (SSG) (Simpson 92).
It was during the fighting in Italy, particularly Anzio where Audie’s ability as a combat leader surfaced. In Sicily, he learned the basic combat skills. In Italy, he put them into practice and polished them. In France, he would perfect them and become the most decorated Soldier in American history (Hibbs).
Now in an area between Cisterna and the MussoliniCanal, the Germans held the high ground. Following the battle, SSG Murphy was assigned as Platoon SGT in command of third platoon, a fitting recognition of his leadership ability during a three day fire fight. Company B, like every other unit in the 15th Infantry and 3rd Infantry Div was always short of junior officers. Audie commanded his platoon from this time until Oct 1944, when he was commissioned as an officer (Hibbs).
On 2 Mar 1944, Audie received his first decoration for Valor, a Bronze Star medal with “V” device. He earned this award for the destruction of an enemy tank and several Germans. It was noted that during this engagement, Audie used his standard M-1 rifle, ran out of ammo and switched to a carbine. He ran out of ammo again and switched to a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). He then grabbed a 40mm grenade launcher firing six shells and finished the fight with a Browning Rifle. Molotov Cocktails (bottles of gas with ignition fuses attached) were also used to destroy the tank. It ended with Audie throwing a hand grenade into an open hatch less than fifteen yards from his position. His only response was: “boy those Germans are tough” (Simpson 99).
While training near Torre Astura, Audie received two more awards for combat. The first was the Combat Infantryman Badge and a second Bronze Star medal. This Medal was for all the patrols Audie had participated on during his time in combat (Simpson 102).
On 8 August 1944, Audie saw Italy for the last time (Simpson 108). He was now headed to France. Less than a week later, Audie would earn the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in Ramatuelle, France. He was awarded the medal for extraordinary heroism in action. This action resulted in a fiercely contested enemy held hill with roughly 15 to 20 Germans. Audie, single handedly was capable of the annihilation or capture of the entire enemy position.
On 15 September 1944, an encounter with enemy mortar shells caused Audie to receive his first wound. He was on his way back from Headquarters after getting permission to move his men to flank the enemy position when he stopped. He was talking to some new Soldiers in theater when the rounds came in. Of the five Soldiers he was speaking with, two were killed and the other three were badly wounded. Audie suffered a few slivers from the explosion in his foot(Murphy 234). His Irish luck had not deserted him! After a few stitches and a short healing period, Audie returned to his unit on 27 September 1944.
On 1 October 1944, Audie won his first Silver Star. The Germans were attacking and he grabbed a half case of grenades. He took off by himself. When the dust had settled, four Germans were dead. The following morning, a patrol had set out. Knowing the area was infested with Germans, Audie followed alone to the right rear. When the Germans initiated the ambush, Audie called out to the patrol, which had no clue he was there. He then advanced to the Germans flank. He had a grenade in one hand and his carbine in the other when he attacked the position. The Germans fired at a distance less than fifteen yards, trying to kill Audie. He was to fast for them. After lobbing the grenade and shooting three of the eight enemies, he fell for cover. Throwing two more grenades into their position, Audie waited for the dust to settle. When the explosions came to a halt, eight men were in the position, four were killed and three were wounded (Simpson 133). A lone German Soldier took off running. Audie dropped him dead in his tracks. The Battalion Commander recommended Audie for the Silver Star. Later he wrote a recommendation that he be awarded a Legion of Merit. Audie received both awards for his actions on 1 and 2 October 1944 (Rogers 1).
Audie won his second Silver Star only three days later. He was again on patrol when his unit was ambushed. Audie quickly crawled, under heavy machine fire, down the hill some fifty yards with a small squad and a walkie-talkie. Some 200 yards away from the enemy, he called mortar fire on them and directed it for over an hour. Enemy rounds were hitting as close as one foot away from Audie during the entire time. When the firing stopped, 15 Germans were killed and approximately thirty five were severely wounded (Rogers 1).
On 26 October 1944, Audie received his second and most severe wound. Again on patrol, Audie's radio operator was just shot just above the right eye by a sniper (Murphy 224). Audie quickly jumped behind a tree for cover only it was too late. The snipers second shot had ricocheted off the tree and plowed through his right hip and buttock. The million dollar wound earned Audie his second Purple Heart Medal. Audie remained in the hospital for over two months and then received convalescent leave. He did not rejoin his unit until 14 January 1945 (Hibbs).
On 25 January 1945 Audie was caught in a barrage of enemy mortar near Holtzwihr, France. This time he was only slightly wounded earning him his third award of the Purple Heart. Two of his close friends were not so lucky. The following day, he took command of Company B. He was the only officer alive in the company and had a total of eighteen enlisted men in his charge (Hibbs).
The following day, as if to prove that he was deserving of the leadership role won the Congressional Medal of Honor (CMH). The enemy launched a huge counterattack with two companies and six heavy tanks. LT Murphy led his company along with six tanks and waves of Infantry. While forward of his unit, directing artillery waves by telephone, one of hit tanks took a direct hit and was burning. The crew withdrew into the wood line. Killing large numbers of enemy forces with artillery waves, Audie was being surrounded on three sides. When asked how close they were, he finally replied: “If you just hold the phone, I’ll let you talk to one of the Bastards” (Murphy 242). This would later be one of his most famous quotes. Audie then moved to the burning tank and climbed on top. He opened up with the .50 caliber machine gun. Never once thinking the vehicle would explode, he employed the machine gun killing dozens of Germans and causing the Infantry to waver. Germans reached as close as ten yards before being mowed down with machine gun fire. Audie received a wound to his leg, but ignored it until his ammunition ran out. Just before the tank exploded, he made his way back to his men. He refused treatment and organized a counterattack which caused the Germans to withdraw. LT Murphy had single handedly killed more than fifty enemy Soldiers (Simpson 155).
During an award ceremony on 2 June 1945 near Salzburg, LT Murphy received the CMH from Lieutenant General (LG) Patch, commander of the US Seventh Army. After being awarded the CMH, LG Patch then pinned a Legion of Merit on Audie. These two medals made him the most decorated Soldier in World War II and the most highly decorated Soldier in the history of the US Army. The French and Belgian medal he would later receive would only substantiate this (Hibbs).
Upon redeployment to the States, Col Edson, Commander of the 15th Infantry Regiment wrote Audie encouraging him to apply to West Point. Audie, enjoying his career, did so. On 10 August 1945, Audie received a letter informing him that his desire to attend would not be granted due to wounds received in combat. Then on 21 September 1945, Audie was discharged from the service (Hibbs).
Works Cited
Murphy, Audie. To Hell and Back. New York, NY: Holt 1977.
Rogers, Richard L. “Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.” 14 Sept 05
Simpson, Harold B. Audie Murphy American Soldier.Dallas, TX: Alcor 1982.
To Hell and Back. Dir. Jesse Hibbs. 1955. DVD. Universal, 1983.