Audie Murphy

coffeeman · Apr 14, 2007

Hi all

Audie Murphy, most decorated in WW II. I just visited a web site with lots of info. It's worth a visit. To me interesting info. One thing that surprised me is he must have joined the Army when he was 16. He was born in 1924 and might still be alive today if he didn't die in a plane crash back home. His grave at Arlington Cemetary is 2nd most visited. First visited is JFK grave. He was a good actor too.

Memorial Day will soon be here. Sometime, we just have to pause and think.

Coffeeman

TMcD_in_MI · Apr 14, 2007

Hey Coffeeman, did you ever read his book To He|| And Back? I read it in high school and thought it was great. I'm guessing that he had some help writing it, but so what, right? It was amazing to read about all the things he did in the war and lived through.

I'll have to check out the website. Thanks for the heads up.

Tom

thcri · Apr 14, 2007

My dad use to tease us as kids that we were related to him. I never read his book or even saw any of his shows, but just remember dad teasing us.

murph

IH3444 · Apr 14, 2007

AMC had two Audie Murphy movies on very early this morning, on was "Pathfinder", and I can't remember the second. Yes, he seems to be the alltime most decorated WWII hero, not to distract from all the others decorated heros, and especially the true heros whom gave their lives for freedom, and their fellow soldiers. There is an email going around with many of the WWII decorated soldiers whom were movie stars, the medals they earned They left their movie careers to serve in the military during WWII. Not some cushy duty either, many like Audie were in the real thick of it, and very lucky to have survived.

Farmwithjunk · Apr 14, 2007

Another one who is entitled to all the recognition he can get is baseball great Ted Williams. He left a brilliant baseball carreer to fly fighter planes in WWII AND Korea. His home run totals might have eclipsed any and all before or since if he had those 5 seasons back. He batted over .400 in the season before he left for WWII. And he didn't just do the "Elvis tour", he was a highly decorated combat ACE. I always admired one of his greatest attributes. He claimed (and proved it several time) that he could read the baseball commisioners name on a 90 mph fastball as it made it's way towards home plate his vision was so keen.

That's the sort of "sports hero" this country needs today. We need more Pat Tillmans, only without he tragic ending.

Jimbrown · Apr 14, 2007

The Audie Murphy Club award is one of the most saught after awards any NCO in the Army can win. It is most difficult to get and will almost qurantee you a promotion.
Sergeant Audie Murphy Club

MadDogDriver · Apr 14, 2007

Another website worthy of visiting:

Audie Murphy - The Most Decorated Combat Soldier Of World War II

cp1969 · Apr 14, 2007

My father fought with Audie Murphy from Anzio (earliest I can confirm; maybe sooner) through the end of the war. Audie was in the 3rd infantry division to which my father's 601st Tank Destroyer attached. He was once having a conversation with another vet and I remember Dad saying that Audie Murphy was fearless--bordering on reckless. It was on one of the 601st Company "B" (Dad's company) disabled M10 tank destroyers that Audie won his CMH at Holwizr(sp) France. I am pretty sure Dad must have witnessed that event.

It's a shame that his life was cut short in a plane crash. A real American hero, of which there were quite a few but none quite as daring as Audie.

coffeeman · Apr 15, 2007

cp1969 said:
My father fought with Audie Murphy from Anzio (earliest I can confirm; maybe sooner) through the end of the war. Audie was in the 3rd infantry division to which my father's 601st Tank Destroyer attached. He was once having a conversation with another vet and I remember Dad saying that Audie Murphy was fearless--bordering on reckless. It was on one of the 601st Company "B" (Dad's company) disabled M10 tank destroyers that Audie won his CMH at Holwizr(sp) France. I am pretty sure Dad must have witnessed that event.

It's a shame that his life was cut short in a plane crash. A real American hero, of which there were quite a few but none quite as daring as Audie.

The crazy thing about plane crash; Murphy was a pilot, but wasn't flying the plane that crashed. I think I remember reading it was a smaller plane; about a 10 passenger.

Lots of folks suggest "reckless" is really closer to some of his actions. However, in most cases he didn't want help, he was reckless on his own. I think it's quite a story. In fact, every story of every person who defends our country is quite a story.

Cheers...Coffeeman

dmccarty · Apr 17, 2007

There is a series on one of the History channels called DogFights. I caught an episode this weekend that was very impressive. They had not one, not two but three different pilots, I think two from the USMC and one USN, who had earned the Medal of Honor. Its impressive that the men where still alive since usually a MoH winnder dies during the earning. Equally impressive to me is that they are still alive since they where fighting in the early days of WWII.

They all had certain characteristics.
- Two of the pilots at one point in their dogfights got close enough to see the face of the enemy gunner or pilot before killing them. And they see the face every night.
- They where all very aggressive.
- They where somewhat lucky.
- They had/have a strong sense of duty and responsiblity.
- They are humble about what the accomplished.
- Even today they have a glint in their eye and a certain mannerism of Don't Tread on Me.

You can see these characteristics of other "heros" as well.

Its too bad that our society today has the anti hero as the hero, i.e., the person who does nothing and claims to have done something is who society looks up too.

Later,
Dan