I was honored that I served in the 15th Infantry Regiment which claims Audie Murphy who was born 88 years ago today and went on to be the most decorated soldier of the Second World War before he reached the age of twenty. He was also awarded every medal for valor with the exception of an Army Commendation Medal with a Valor device. After World War Two he joined the Texas National Guard in the hope that he would go to the Korean War, but his unit didn’t deploy, but he was promoted to the rank of major while serving in the Guard.
During the Vietnam War, he lobbied for more support for victims of Post Traumatic Stress, something he himself had dealt with while trying to be a civilian. He became addicted to sleeping pills in the mid-60s and then beat the addiction by locking himself in a hotel room for a week.
Thanks to Brian and ROS for reminding us of the man who was a hero in so many ways and still lives in our hearts.
A true hero, well remembered.
I cannot tell you how many times I have read “To Hell and Back”, never mind watched it… it is a lot. He was an inspiration to me in my youth, in my Service, and still to this day.
I did not know today was his birthday, nor did I know that he became a major in the Texas National Guard during the Korean War.
BUT – – – ,
Audie Murphy and I have something in common.
Both of us became soldiers in the United States Army after being denied enlistment in the United States Marine Corps.
That’s why one of my favorite movies is, “BABY BLUE MARINE”, starring Jan-Michael Vincent.
http://writesong.blogspot.com/2012/10/baby-blue-marine.html
A true badass indeed.
The MAN!
Wait, I used to think he had more awards than anybody, but after seeing some of the assclows on your blog, I’m not sure anymore.
Happy birthday, Audie Murphy.
I’m wondering if this is the first photo on TAH of someone wearing the MOH that actually earned it.
Grew up in Greenville,TX. learned about him beginning at age 6. The Scottish Rite Temple in downtown Dallas has a sizeable collection ALM items. A very nice museum in Greenville also has a great statue of him. http://www.cottonmuseum.com/
Happy Birthday, SIR!!
I wonder how times per week G-d sends Baby-face Murphy down to hell to kick Satan’s ass around the block, just for shits and grins.
Murphy died about 15 miles from my home; his aircraft crashed into a nearby ridgeline as he was flying into Roanoke VA. As a kid, we’d ride out to that ridge and look thru the remaining wreckage for “souvenirs.”
In addition to being rejected by the USMC, Murphy was also not allowed into the Airborne program because he was too short.
Great American. Semper Fidelis.
His grave is one of the most visited at Arlington. He is a legend. There may be someone here (I doubt it) who has not seen “To Hell and Back” at least three times. Audie Murphy still looked like a baby in the 1955 film, one of my favs only b/c he played himself and I got to hear his voice and watch his eyes and mannerisms. He struck me as a guy who didn’t have a mean bone in his body but, brother, you can tell a goldbrick would last two seconds with him.
CI Roller Dude: “most decorated” is subjective, and difficult to compare across eras. However, if pressed my personal candidate would be the late COL Robert L. Howard, USA. His decorations were as follows – and I’m not making this stuff up:
Individual Awards:
MoH
DSC w/OLC
SS
LM w/3 OLC
BSM w/3 OLC and V Device
PH w/7 OLC
MSM w/3 OLC
AM w/Numeral 3 and V Device
JSCM
ARCOM w/6 OLC and V Device
JSAM
AAM
GCM w/4 loops
NDSM w/Bronze Star
AFEM w/3 Bronze Stars
VSM w/3 Campaign Stars
AFRM
NCOPDR w/Numeral 2
ASR
OSR
He was recommended for the MoH 3 separate times in a 13 month period; the first two were downgraded to the SS and DSC. Other than the Distinguished Flying Cross, COL Howard was awarded literally every Army individual decoration that may be given for valor in combat.
Foreign Awards:
RVNGC w/Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stars
RVN Armed Forces Honor Medal, 1st Class
RVN Civic Actions Medal, 1st Class
RVN Wound Medal
RVN Staff Service Medal, 2nd Class
RVN VCM
ROK Order of National Security Merit
RVNGC (Unit)
RVNCA (Unit)
Badges/Tabs:
SF, Ranger, CIB, EIB, Aircrew, Master Parachutist, Air Assault, Pathfinder, French Parachutist, RVN Ranger, RVN/ROK/Thai Master Parachutist, and Thai Baloonist
Unit Awards:
PUC w/OLC
MUC
NUC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_L._Howard
(Edited to add: the Wikipedia article contains one error. COL Howard retired in 1992; he therefore rates a bronze star for his NDSM. The Wikipedia article listing of his decorations and qualification does not indicate that.)
Someone was inquiring about William L. Albracht the other day when he made claims of three Silver Stars which sent me on a search and I found that he really had earned three Silver Stars from Oct. 1969 – May 1970. Busy guy.
“To Hell and Back” was a great movie, I’m glad Audie was able to portray himself. The only regret is that the movie was shot at Fort Lewis and environs, and not filmed on location in Italy and southern France…
@16.
Hardcore.
Audie Murphy has been my hero since I was a little kid. To Hell and Back is only one of two movies that I never walk away from or turn the channel when its on (The Dirty Dozen is the other).
Hey everybody, don’t forget CMSgt. Ricahrd Ortega was the “second-most decorated soldier in WWII”….well at least that he used to tell everybody before he got exposed.
@Mike: Yes Major Murphy was and is a true badass. In fact, the website called “Badass of the Week” even paid a tribute to him some time back and here it is:
http://www.badassoftheweek.com/murphy.html
Happy Birthday Major Murphy! BRAVO ZULU sir and many,many thanks. I pray we may be worthy.