Hero Spotlight: Audie Murphy
Audie Murphy grew up in Texas and from his humble beginnings, few would have expected him to become arguably the most famous World War II hero. He was a short, baby-faced teen who wanted to fight for his country. Later, he would be the most decorated soldier to serve in the conflict.
Originally, he wanted to join the Marines, but he was too short. He tried the paratroopers too, and that was also a no-go. Instead of giving up, Audie found his way into the military with the infantry.
Audie Murphy actually demonstrated his strength and leadership well before his military service. After his father abandoned the family, he dropped out of school and started working to help raise his 11 brothers and sisters when he was only in the fifth grade.
He was 16 years old when his mother died, and his siblings were separated and sent off to orphanages or to live with other relatives. A year later, in 1942, Murphy enlisted in the Army with a false birth certificate claiming to be 18, one year older than he actually was.
In 1943, he fought in the Voltuno River campaign among others and quickly advanced in rank. Next, he went to France for Operation Anvil-Dragoon. During seven weeks of intense fighting, Murphy’s division suffered 4,500 casualties, but he continued the fight in a big way.
In eastern France, Lt. Murphy’s forward positions came under fire by the Germans. Murphy told his men to fall back, and he defended the position against six Panzer tanks and 250 infantrymen for over an hour using a burning, abandoned tank destroyer and a single machine gun earning him the medal of honor.
Murphy went on to a career in Hollywood, where he even played himself in “To Hell and Back,” a film based on his autobiography. What a unique hero. We believe in giving back to our American heroes. That’s why we support a bill we call The Greatest Generation Benefits Act. Learn more and sign our petition here.
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