Audie Leon Murphy Biography

Audie Leon Murphy was a legend in his own time. He was a war hero, movie actor, writer of country and wetern songs, and poet. His biography read more like fiction than fact. He lived only 46 years but made a lasting impression on American history.

Audie was born on a sharecropper's farm in North Texas on June 20, 1924. As a boy, he chopped cotton for one dollar a day and was noted for his feats of daring-do and his accuracy with a gun. He had only five years of schooling and was orphaned at the age of 16.

After being refused enlistment during World War II in both the Marines and Paratroopers for being too small (5'5") and underweight (110 lbs), he enlisted in the U.S. Army a few days after his 18th birthday. After basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas, and advanced training at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, Audie was sent overseas. He was assigned to the famous 15th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division where he fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany.

Audie earned a battlefield commission for his courage and leadership ability, as well as citations and decorations, including one Belgian and three French medals. Audie Murphy is the highest decorated Soldier in American history

After he was discharged from the Army on September 21, 1945, Audie went to Hollywood at the invitation of movie star James Cagney. He remained in California for the rest of his life and was closely associated with the movie industry, both as an actor and a producer.

He acted in 44 films, starring in 39 of them. His best known film, "To Hell and Back," was adapted from his best-selling autobiography of his war experiences by the same name. Most of his movies were westerns. In 1955, Audie Murphy was voted the Most Popular Western Actor in America by the Motion Picture Exhibitors.

Audie wrote the lyrics to 17 country and western songs, the most popular of which was "Shutters and Boards," written with Scott Turner in 1962. It was also recorded by over 30 pop singers, including Jerry Wallace, Dean Martin, and Porter Waggoner.

He was also an accomplished poet. Unfortunately, only a few of his poems have survived.

In 1950, Audie joined the 36th Infantry Division ("T-Patchers") of the Texas National Guard and served with it until 1966. He was a Shriner (Mason) and belonged to several veterans' organizations.

Audie Murphy was killed in a plane crash on a mountaintop near Roanoke, Virginia, on May 28, 1971. Fittingly, his body was recovered two days later on Memorial Day.

Sergeant Audie Murphy's U.S. Awards:

Medal of Honor, Legion of Merit, Silver Star (1 OLC), Bronze Star (with "V" device, 1 OLC), Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart (2 OLC), Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Emblem (1OLC), American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal Army of Occupation Medal (with Germany clasp), European-African-Middle Eastern CAmpaign Medal (1 Silver Star, 4 Bronze Stars)

Sergeant Audie Murphy's Foreign Awards

Medal of Liberated France, French Fourragere in colors of the Croix de Guerre, French Legion of Honor (Grade of Chevalier), French Croix de Guerre (with Silver Star), French Croix de Guerre (with Palm), Belgian Croix de Guerre (1940 Palm)

Audie Murphy's Movies

40 Guns to Apache Pass, Apache Rifles, The Cimarron Kid, Beyond Glory, Cast a Long Shadow, The Quiet American, Gunpoint, Hell Bent for Leather, Kansas Raiders, No Name on the Bullet, Ride a Crooked Trail, Seven Ways From Sundown, Sierra, Texas, Heaven and Brooklyn, The Duel at Silver Creek, The Guns of Fort Petticoat, The Quick Gun, The Red Badge of Courage, The Wild and the Innocent, To Hell and Back, Gunfight at Comanche Creek, A Time for Dying, Arizona Raiders, Battle at Bloody Beach, Bullet for a Badman, The Kid from Texas, Dunes Across the River, Gunsmoke, The Unforgiven, Night Passage, World in My Corner, Ride Clear of Diablo, Showdown, Six Black Horses, Bad Boy, The Gun Runner, Column South, Destry, The Texican, Joe Butterfly, Truck to Cairo, Tumbleweed, Posse from Hell.

Audie Murphy's Songs

  • When the Wind Blows in Chicage
  • Foolish Clock
  • Shutters and Boards
  • Please Mr. Music Man Play a Song for Me
  • Elena, Goodbye
  • Go On and Break My Heart
  • Leave the Weeping to the Willow Tree
  • Pedro's Guitar
  • Willie the Hummer
  • The Only Light I Ever Need is You
  • Rattle Dance
  • My Lonesome Room
  • Was it All Worth Loosing You
  • Dusty Old Helmet
  • Big, Big Day Tomorrow
  • Round and Round She Goes
  • If There is a Short Cut to Nowhere (I'll Take It)