Audie Murphy earned widespread recognition for his remarkable courage during World War II, eventually becoming the most decorated American soldier in history. Following his military service, he shifted to an acting career and achieved success in films, including one that portrayed his own heroic wartime experiences.
Here are nine fascinating and lesser-known facts about this celebrated actor and war hero.
He was rejected from the US Navy and Marine Corps
Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Audie Murphy was unwavering in his resolve to join the US military. Despite facing numerous obstacles in his initial attempts to enlist in the Marine Corps, Navy, and Army—mainly due to his age and low weight—Murphy’s determination remained steadfast.
To get past these barriers, Murphy sought his sister’s assistance in altering his documents to make him appear older. With this adjusted information, he made another attempt to join the US Army, which ultimately succeeded.
Murphy embarked on his military path at Camp Wolters in Texas, where he completed basic training and earned commendable distinctions, including the Expert Badge with Bayonet Component Bar and the Marksman Badge with Rifle Component Bar. He then proceeded to Fort Meade, Maryland, for advanced infantry training.
Audie Murphy single-handedly held off a company of German troops
In February 1943, Audie Murphy was deployed to the Mediterranean, where he engaged in action before being transferred to the European Theater – the setting of most of his wartime service. One particularly noteworthy incident during this period led to his receipt of the Medal of Honor.
By January 1945, Murphy was stationed in the Colmar Pocket with his platoon. Later relocated to Holtzwihr with the 3rd Infantry Division, they faced a German counterattack. Despite sustaining injuries, Murphy assumed command of Company B, prioritizing the safety of his men over his own well-being.
When the Germans ignited an M10 tank destroyer, Murphy directed his soldiers to retreat to the woods, away from enemy fire. Armed only with his M1 Carbine and a radio for artillery coordination, he climbed onto the armored vehicle and manned its .50-caliber machine gun, firing at the advancing troops for an hour and inflicting 50 casualties.
During this courageous act, Murphy sustained another injury to one of his legs. Undeterred by his wounds, he returned to his men and led a full-man charge against the German forces. Speaking about Murphy’s bravery, Pvt. Charles Owen recalled, “He saved our lives. If he hadn’t done what he did, the Germans would have annihilated us.”
The US Army changed how he viewed his name
During his younger years, Audie Murphy harbored a dislike for his first name. As a result, he often chose to use his middle name, Leon. His older sister had given him this name, not knowing its Latin meaning, “lion.” Interestingly, the name turned out to be appropriate, given Murphy’s extraordinary accomplishments during World War II.
It was when he joined the US Army that Murphy began to appreciate his first name. In the military, “Leon” was seen as a name from the countryside, so he started using the nicknames “Audie” or “Murph” for the rest of his life.
Awarded every US military combat award for valor – and then some
Audie Murphy holds the distinction of being the most decorated soldier in American history, a title that goes beyond symbolism – he genuinely earned each of the ones bestowed upon him.
Murphy was presented the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with “V” Device, the Purple Heart with two bronze oak leaf clusters, the Presidential Unit Citation with First Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal and the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor.
In addition, he received several campaign medals, including the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. Murphy also earned various badges, such as the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Marksman Badge with Rifle Component Bar and the Expert Badge with Bayonet Component Bar.
Remarkably, these are only the awards presented to him by the US military!
Murphy’s recognition extended beyond national borders, as he also received honors from both the French and Belgians. These international honors encompassed the French Legion of Honor – Grade of Chevalier (Knight), the French Croix de Guerre with Silver Star, the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, the Medal of a Liberated France, the Belgian Croix de Guerre with 1940 Palm and the French Fourragère in Colors of the Croix de Guerre.
Audie Murphy suffered from battle fatigue for the rest of his life
Audie Murphy, who had previously been diagnosed with “battle fatigue,” suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after his service in World War II. Upon his return, he struggled with insomnia and depression, leading him to seek professional treatment.
A doctor prescribed Placidyl, a strong sedative, which inadvertently led to addiction. Aware of the drug’s hold on him, he chose to detox on his own, isolating himself in a motel room without any medication for a week.
Unlike many others, Murphy became a vocal advocate for mental health, especially for veterans returning from Korea and Vietnam. He candidly shared his own struggles and called on the US government to prioritize research into the psychological effects of combat.
He wanted to make a movie about Desmond Doss’ military service
There was a time when Audie Murphy wanted to create a film about fellow Medal of Honor recipient Desmond Doss. Doss had earned the prestigious decoration for his heroic actions at Hacksaw Ridge during the Battle of Okinawa, risking his life to treat wounded comrades, even under relentless enemy fire. He ended up saving 75 men.
Hal B. Wallis, producer of Casablanca (1942), enlisted Murphy to persuade Doss to sell his story to Hollywood. However, he did not see himself as a hero and refused the offer, fearing his character might be misrepresented or compromised. It wasn’t until the release of Hacksaw Ridge in 2016 that Doss’s extraordinary bravery was finally brought to the big screen.
Audie Murphy portrayed himself in To Hell and Back (1955)
It’s quite unusual for someone to have a film made about their own life, and even rarer for them to play themselves in it. Audie Murphy is among the few who achieved this, starring as himself in the 1955 film To Hell and Back, which was adapted from the 1949 autobiography written by his friend, David McClure.
To Hell and Back depicts Murphy’s experiences during World War II and features actors such as Jack Kelly, Marshall Thompson, Charles Drake, Gregg Palmer, and Paul Picerni, along with several other notable figures. The film premiered on the anniversary of his discharge from the US Army and garnered mostly positive reviews.
Despite being poor, there were still products he wouldn’t promote
During the twilight years of his life, Audie Murphy faced financial challenges. He suffered substantial losses, amounting to several hundred thousand dollars, in an Algerian oil venture, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) pursued him for outstanding tax debts.
While many actors would have readily embraced any job opportunity that came their way, Murphy remained steadfast in upholding his principles. Despite being presented with numerous offers for cigarette and alcohol advertisements, he declined each one, as he was resolute in his commitment to setting a positive example for his youthful admirers.
Audie Murphy is buried at Arlington National Cemetery
On May 28, 1971, Audie Murphy lost his life when his private plane crashed into the side of a mountain in Roanoke, Virginia, while en route to a business engagement. On June 7, in recognition of his military service, he was laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
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Given his status as both a famous actor and a decorated soldier, Murphy’s gravestone fast became a high-traffic area, becoming the second-most visited at Arlington, after that of President John F. Kennedy. The amount of visitors prompted the construction of a flagstone walkway, and those wishing to visit the gravesite can find it in Section 46, across from the Memorial Amphitheater.