Biography of Audie Leon Murphy: The Most Decorated U.S. Combat Soldier of World War II
Audie Leon Murphy was born to Emmett and Josie Bell Murphy, on a sharecropper's farm on June 20, 1924, near the little town of Kingston (Hunt Country) Texas, one of the thirteen children. Audie rose to national fame as the most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II. Among his 33 awards and decorations was the Medal of Honor, the highest military award for bravery that can be given to any individual in the United States of America, for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty." He also received every decoration for valor that his country had to offer, some of them more than once, including 5 decorations by France and Belgium. Credited with either killing over 240 of the enemy while wounding or capturing many others, he became a legend within the 3rd Infantry Division. Beginning his service as an Army Private, Audie quickly rose to the enlisted rank of Staff Sergeant, was given a "battle field" commission as 2nd Lieutenant, was wounded three times, fought in 9 major campaigns across the European Theater, and survived the war. During Murphy's 3 years active service as a combat soldier in World War II, Audie became one of the best fighting combat soldiers of this
In 1996 the Texas Legislature officially designated his birthday, June 20th, as Audie Murphy Day. On June 9, 1999 Governor George W. Bush, Texas made a similar proclamation declaring June 20th to officially be Audie Murphy Day in the state of Texas. Audie was a passenger in an Aero Commander 68oE when it crashed in the Appalachian Mountain12 miles northwest of Roanoke, Virginia on Memorial Day weekend, May 28, 1971. How ironic it was that he was killed on his mother's birthday. Audie Murphy wrote some poetry and was quite successful as a songwriter. Dozens of Audie Murphy's songs were recorded and released by such great performers as Dean Martin, Eddy Arnold, Charley Pride, Jimmy Bryant, Porter Waggoner, Jerry Wallace, Roy Clark, Harry Nilsson and many, many others. His two biggest hits were Shutters and Boards and When the Wind Blows in Chicago. Eddy Arnold recorded When the Wind Blows in Chicago for his 1993 album Last of the Love Song Singers which is currently in release by RCA. Due to the remoteness of the area, it took several days to find the plane and its passengers. Audie Leon Murphy was laid to rest on June 7, 1971, in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Among the dignitaries was George Bush, then Ambassador-at-Large to the United Nations. His engraved headstone reads as follows: Audie L. Murphy, Texas. Major Infantry, World War II, June 20, 1924 - May 28, 1971, Medal of Honor, DSC - SS & OLC; LM - BSM & OLC; PH & 2 OLC. (DSC-Distinguished Service Cross; SS-Silver Star; LM-Legion of Merit; BSM-Bronze Star Medal; OLC; Oak Leaf Cluster; PH-Purple Heart). Despite his success in Hollywood, Audie never forgot his rural Texas roots. He returned frequently to the Dallas area where he owned a small ranch for a while. He also had ranches in Perris, California and near Tucson, Arizona. He was a successful Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racehorse owner and breeder, having interests in such great horses as "Depth Charge." His films earned him close to 3 million dollars in 23 years as an actor. Audie loved to gamble, and he bet on horses and different sporting events.
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1434
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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