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Audie Murphy: the Last American War Hero Gene Klann

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Audie Murphy: the Last American War Hero Gene Klann AUDIE MURPHY: THE LAST AMERICAN WAR HERO GENE KLANN San Antonio, Texas, is the proud home of several unique sites of interest for the military historian and collector. These include the legendary Alamo, idyllic Fort Sam Houston, the historic air- craft display at Lackland Air Force Base, and, of course, the Audie Murphy Memorial Room and Statue. The Memorial Room and Statue are located on the grounds of the Audie Murphy Veterans Administration Hospital. This hospital is one of the V.A.’s largest and at the time of its 1973 dedication was the only one to bear the name of a veteran. The Memorial Room has several detailed and attractive displays depicting Audie Murphy’s civilian and military careers. Of spe- cial interest are those which include Audie’s military uniforms, weapons, German war trophies, award documents, and his medals (several of which are named). AUDIE MURPHY’S BLOUSE WITH ACCOUTERMENTS, INCLUDING HIS MEDAL OF HONOR (Photo taken in the Audie Murphy Memorial Room by the author) I0 According to letters and inscriptions in this small but extremely fascinating museum, Audie Leon Murphy was "the best soldier there ever was’’I and "the most decorated serviceman in the history of the United States of America."2 These complimentary descriptions adequately summarize the high regard in which Audie was held by his comrades and the American public after World War II. The Audie Murphy story is yet another of the American dream come true. From an impoverished rural Texas background, Audie became the most decorated American combat soldier of World War II. After the war he enjoyed a varied career which included success as an actor, author, song writer, poet, movie producer, lecturer, and entrepreneur. Prior to his accidental death in 1971 at the age of 46, Audie Murphy was a living legend. He had, during 400 days of combat in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany, received a battlefield commission, suffered three combat wounds, and earned over thirty awards and decorations, ten of which were for personal gallantry in action. And all of this was before his 21st birth- day! FIRST LIEUTENANT MURPHY, WHO HAD JUST BEEN AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR AND LEGION OF MERIT FROM LIEUTENANT GEN- ERAL ALEXANDER PATCH, 2 JUNE 1945, SALZBURG, AUSTRIA. (US Army photo) ii Although Audie’s achievements were superhuman, Audie the man was very much human. He experienced many of the same emotions and frustrations as others. Because of his slight 112 pound frame he was rejected by both the Marines and the Navy. After finally entering the Army, he was directed to attend cooks’ training and later served as a clerk in the Fort Meade, Maryland, post exchange. He was also on the receiving end of constant teasing because of his youthful appearance. This was no doubt encouraged by Audie’s passing out while doing close order drill during his tenth day on active duty.~ In addition, while serving in Europe, he contracted malaria and his hip wound developed a severe case of gangrene. In his best-selling autobiography, To Hell and Back, Audie des- cribes in vivid detail the discomforts, pressures, and melancholy he experienced as a dogface soldier. Any G.I. who has received a combat valor award knows there was a price to be paid for his de- coration. The same was true several times over with Audie Murphy. That he achieved what he did both during and after the war truly reflects the quality and courage of the man. Many so-called definitive lists have been published which alleged- ly included a~l of Audie’s awards and decorations. These lists, however, were either incomplete or contained a variety of incor- rect additions. In order to resolve this issue, Pamela Murphy (Audie’s widow) was encouraged by Audie Murphy admirers David "Spec" McClure and Carl Swickerath to write the Adjutant General of the Army, requesting a review of Audie’s records and a complete Army-authorized list of the Murphy decorations. The result was the final and definitive list of Audie Murphy’s awards, medals, and decorations. Medals and Decorations i. Medal of Honor 2. Distinguished Service Cross 3. Silver Star with First Oak Leaf Cluster 4. Legion of Merit 5. Bronze Star with V device and First Oak Leaf Cluster 6. Purple Heart with Second Oak Leaf Cluster 7. Good Conduct Medal 8. American Campaign Medal 9. Europe-African-Mid-Eastern Campaign Medal with one Silver Star, four Bronze Service Stars (representing nine campaigns) and one Bronze Arrowhead (representing assault landings at Sicily and Southern France) i0. World War II Victory Medal Ii. Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp 12. Armed Forces Reserve Medal 13. French Legion of Honor, Grade of Chevalier 14. French Croix de Guerre, 1939, with Palm and Silver Star 15. Medal of Liberated France 16. Belgian Croix de Guerre, 1940, with Palm Badges and Unit Awards I. Combat Infantryman’s Badge 2. Distinguished Unit Emblem (Presidential Unit Citation) with First Oak Leaf Cluster 3. French Fourragere of the colors of the 1939 Croix de Guerre 4. Expert Badge with Bayonet Bar 5. Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar 12 .
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