Audie Murphy

Audie Murphy in his military uniform (Wikipedia (Wikipedia))

"During World War II and for many years afterward, Audie Murphy personified heroism on the battlefield. His death-defying exploits were the stuff of legend, but to many Americans Murphy is a virtual unknown" (Contemporary Heroes and Heroines, 1998).  Audie Murphy was born into poverty and was destined to become a forgotten hero. Murphy was born in Texas on June 20, 1924. He joined the army after his mother's death in 1941. After serving for 4 years, he headed to Hollywood to try to tell his story. He died on May 28, 1971 in a plane crash as a nobody. The official definition of a hero is someone "noted for courageous acts or nobility of character" (Dictionary.com). Everyone who knew Murphy would describe him as a hero. He was humble, kind, and was quick to rise to greatness. Audie Murphy, a WWII soldier who earned 33 military medals including the Congressional Medal of Honor,  used his leadership and self-sacrificing spirit to protect and save his fellow soldiers leaving a legacy that inspired generations to come.

AudieMurphy.com (AudieMurphy.com)

Murphy proved himself of strong leadership throughout the war. He gave his soldiers hope and led them into battle. When Murphy was on the battleground, he didn't just become a leader; it was his skills on the battlefield that made him one: "From his first day of battle, Murphy displayed the coolheadedness, remarkable fighting skills, and calculated risk-taking that, within weeks, would make him a legend among American troops throughout the European theater" (Audie Leon Murphy). Murphy changed the way of the battlefield, he led his soldiers through his skills of calculated risk taking, which saved his soldier's lives. His expertise of fighting made him someone to look up to and inspired his men not to surrender. Murphy also always remained calm because this would benefit him and his soldiers under any challenging circumstances that they would face. When faced with obstacles Murphy would not allow this to get in his way of success: "His actions on the ground impressed his superior officers and they quickly promoted him to corporal. While fighting in the wet mountains of Italy, Murphy contracted malaria. Despite such setbacks, he continually distinguished himself in battle" (Audie Murphy). Murphy had a drive for accomplishment even though his health was in the way. He showed that as a leader you must put your goal first ahead of yourself, and this is what got him promoted. His example showed to others that through hard-work and determination, a person can prove that they can be a strong leader. Through excellent leadership skills and an ambitious mental attitude, Murphy was able to have a strong influence over his fellow soldiers.

Audie Murphy on the front cover of LIFE (AudieMurphy.com (AudieMurphy.com))

Murphy showed a self-sacrificing spirit multiple times and this saved his division of soldiers. Murphy received a Medal of Honor due to his heroic behavior shown from a single battle. "Having ordered his outnumbered men to cover in a nearby wood, Murphy, despite a leg wound, mounted a burning tank destroyer, seized its .50 caliber machine gun, and while exposed on three sides to enemy fire, single-handedly held off six German tanks and waves of attacking troops for almost an hour. After he had killed or wounded some fifty Germans and the rest began to withdraw, he led a counterattack that secured the American position" (Audie Leon Murphy). Since his platoon was outnumbered and the odds were against them, Murphy commanded his comrades to hide while he bravely went out alone and faced the enemy lines by himself. This sacrifice clearly showed how one life can save many in return. Murphy knew his chances of surviving were slim, but he risked going out alone to save more men. In France during Operation Dragoon, Murphy's best friend died, and he risked his life to avenge his friend's death. "Enraged by this act, Murphy charged and killed the Germans that had just killed his friend. He then commandeered the Germans' machine guns and grenades and attacked several more nearby positions, killing all of the German soldiers there. Murphy was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions" (Audie Murphy). For honor and vengeance, Murphy went to the front lines and took out several German positions for his friend that was just killed. Murphy had the determination and the courage needed to risk his life selflessly multiple times. Murphy's sacrifices proved his heroism and bravery because he saved and protected his men above all costs.

Murphy in his later years after the war (Movietreasures.com (Movietreasures.com ))

This soldier who earned 33 medals for saving and sacrificing his life for his men, this soldier who had a strong leadership style and that changed the outcome of battles; this was Audie Murphy. Lt. Murphy showed what is to be a hero and gave hope to his soldiers. He sacrificed and led his soldiers to victory. He was a true hero. Murphy inspired many because his mother died and his father left him at a young age and joined the army to honor his mother. "He was born into a life of grinding poverty, the seventh of twelve children, whose father abandoned them shortly before their mother died in 1941. Moving from one poor northeast Texas farm to another"  (Audie Leon Murphy). This was a common story among men of his generation, and despite where he came from, he became a hero. Murphy inspired me to never give up and always have the courage to do something. His story and his life inspired me to do more for other people and to help them. 2nd Lt. Audie Murphy dodged bullets and ran through the front lines to save and protect his soldiers, he is a forgotten hero.

Works Cited

"Audie Leon Murphy." Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1994.

Biography in Context,

link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/BT2310006936/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=f4e12043. Accessed 2 May 2017

"Audie Murphy." Contemporary Heroes and Heroines, vol. 3, Gale, 1998. Biography in Context,

link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1607000195/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=b4be5e62. Accessed 2 May 2017.

"hero". Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 17 May. 2017. dictionary.com

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/hero.

Accessed 16 May 2017