Audie Murphy Biography

Audie Leon Murphy was born on June 20, 1925, in Kingston, Hunt County, Texas, USA, to Emmett Berry Murphy and Josie Bell Killian. He was the seventh among 12 children born to his parents. He was of Irish descent.

He was named after two men who took care of his mother when she was abandoned by his father. His father kept coming and going until he finally abandoned the family.

Murphy went to elementary school while growing up around Farmersville, Greenville, and Celeste. He dropped out of school in fifth grade. He then landed a cotton-picking job to support his family.

In 1941, Murphy’s mother passed away and he took up various jobs to survive in Greenville. His siblings were sent to children’s homes and orphanages.

He decided to join the armed forces in order to support his family and serve his country at the same time. He was finally taken into the armed forces in June 1942.

In 1943, Murphy was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, and 3rd Infantry Division. He was immediately posted to French Morocco in North Africa.

In July 1943, he was promoted to the rank of corporal as he prepared for the ‘Allied Invasion of Sicily.’ The 7th Infantry Regiment finally captured and secured the port in August 1943. The same year, Murphy was promoted to the post of sergeant.

In August 1944, he became part of ‘Operation Dragoon.’ He fought the Nazis with great valor and skill and got promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. He, along with the soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment earned the ‘Presidential Unit Citation.’

In September 1944, the 3rd Infantry Division defeated the German soldiers to invade north-eastern France. His unflinching courage in the face of death earned him several medals and awards.

In 1945, Murphy became part of one of the most important counter-attacks, leading to the capture of Colmar Pocket. He was once again lauded and promoted to first lieutenant the same year, after which he was made a Liaison officer and was called back to the headquarters from the war front.

Murphy was enlisted as a captain in the 36th Infantry Division of the ‘Texas National Guard’ in 1950. The same year, Murphy’s life took a new turn as he stepped into Hollywood to act in war movies. He was cast in ‘To Hell and Back,’ a 1955 film adaptation of his autobiographical book.

In 1956, he was promoted to the rank of major in the U.S. Army Reserve and was discharged from the ‘Texas National Guard’ a decade later.

In May 1969, he retired from the U.S. Army, leaving behind a great legacy.

He was part of one of the most devastating, colossal wars of all time – ‘World War II.’ He still remains one of the most celebrated American war heroes. After joining the US Army in 1942, he went to North Africa as part of the US 3rd Infantry Division. He was then part of the missions to invade Sicily and Southern France. He fought the Germans, finally helping the American forces to secure the Colmar Pocket.

Murphy was awarded three ‘Purple Hearts’ for the wounds that he received in September and October 1944 and again in the following year. In 1944, he also received two awards with the ‘V’ device: the ‘Bronze Star’ and the ‘Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.’

In 1945, Murphy was given the ‘Medal of Honour’ and ‘Legion of Merit.’

Murphy was also decorated with the U.S. Army badges, such as ‘Combat Infantryman Badge,’ ‘Marksman Badge,’ and ‘Expert Badge.’

In 1960, he received a star on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame’ for his contribution to cinema.

Murphy was awarded the ‘Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal’ for his technical assistance on the Army documentary ‘The Broken Bridge.’

In 1949, Murphy married Wanda Hendrix and divorced her after two years. The same year, he married Pamela Archer who was an airline stewardess. He had two sons from his marriage with Pamela: Terrance Michael ‘Terry’ Murphy and James Shannon ‘Skipper’ Murphy.

He died when his private plane crashed into Brush Mountain, near Catawba, Virginia.

In 1973, ‘Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital’ was named after him in San Antonio.

In 1974, a plaque was erected in memory of Murphy at the site of his death in Brush Mountain, Virginia.

‘The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club’ at Fort Hood, Texas, was established in 1986 by CSM George L. Horvath III, III Corps Commander LTG Crosbie E. Saint, and several others to validate officers as valiant as Audie Murphy.

‘The American Cotton Museum’ in Greensville is named after Audie Murphy - a bronze statue of Murphy was unveiled here in 2002.

Several countries have issued stamps in honor of Murphy. The major ones are the Le 2 value by the West African nation of Sierra Leone and the $6.40 value stamp by Guyana.