Subdeacon Joe Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 Quote Texas Historical Commission Like This Page · June 20 · The most decorated soldier of World War II, Audie Murphy was born on this day in 1925 near Kingston in Hunt County. Told by the Marines, Army Airborne, and Navy that he was too small, he went to the Greenville post office after turning 17 (he claimed he was 18) to join the Army as a private. He fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany with the 3rd Infantry Division. During thecourse of the war, he received dozens of medals and citations and was wounded three times in combat. On January 26, 1945, near Holtzwihr, France, 2d Lt. Murphy commanded Company B, 15th Infantry Regiment, when it was attacked by six tanks and about 250 German infantrymen. He ordered his men to fall back while he directed artillery fire over a field telephone. He also fired the machine gun atop a burning tank destroyer to halt advancing troops. Alone and exposed to enemy fire from three sides, he kept up the fight for an hour. When Murphy joined up with his company, they and reinforcements made a counterattack and regained their original positions. For his actions that day, Murphy received the Medal of Honor. He returned to a hero’s welcome, which was the cover story of Life magazine. Murphy later starred in 44 movies, including portraying himself in the 1955 film adaptation of his autobiography, “To Hell and Back.” The State of Texas has placed historical markers in Celeste and near Kingston to commemorate his birthplace, and another in Farmersville to mark his homecoming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 The Audie Murphy / American Cotton Museum just off I-30 in Greenville TX, honors not only Mr Murphy but all the brave Men and Women from Hunt County that gave their all in service to our country. Although small, inside the museum there are several first rate exhibits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/209 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailrider #896 Posted June 23, 2019 Share Posted June 23, 2019 When was he promoted to major? Was that in the national guard or the regular Army? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted June 23, 2019 Share Posted June 23, 2019 1 hour ago, Trailrider #896 said: When was he promoted to major? Was that in the national guard or the regular Army? He joined the Guard as a captain in 1950 and was promoted to major in ‘56. He transferred to Army Reserve in 1966. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted June 23, 2019 Share Posted June 23, 2019 Pity that they didn’t give him a GCM before making him an offitzer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted June 23, 2019 Share Posted June 23, 2019 31 minutes ago, Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 said: Pity that they didn’t give him a GCM before making him an offitzer. He was given a GCM on 21 August, 1945 at Ft Sam Houston. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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