Essay/Term paper: This is audie murphy

Essay, term paper, research paper:  History

This is Audie Murphy's life story. At the tender age of 12, he becomes the head of the family after his father deserts them. He joins the army at the age of 18 and through the course of the war is decorated for valor nine times thus becoming the most decorated combat soldier in World War II. Audie does one of the bravest acts any soldier ever did during the war. He climbs aboard a burning tank destroyer and single handedly keeps the enemy from advancing on his position. He spends almost an hour on top of the tank destroyer until his ammunition is exhausted. Seconds later after climbing off the tank destroyer, it explodes. For this action, Audie receives the Medal of Honor.



PVT, AUS 30 Jun 42

PFC, AUS 7 May 43

CPL, AUS 15 Jul 43

SGT, AUS 13 Dec 43

S/SGT, AUS 13 Jan 44

2d LT, AUS 14 Oct 44

1st LT, AUS 16 Feb 45

1st LT, INF, ORC 21 Aug 45

CAPT, INF, TEX NG (Federal Recognition) 14 July 50

CAPT, INF, NGUS 19 Oct 50

MAJ, INF, TEX NG (Federal Recognition) 14 Feb 56

MAJ, INF, NGUS 14 Feb 56

MAJ, INF, USAR 8 Nov 66





SERVICE

Audie L. Murphy enlisted in the Army of the United States, 30 June 1942, at Dallas, Texas and was sent to Camp Wolters, Texas for basic training. After serving with Company K, 385th Infantry at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland since October 1942, he departed the United States, 8 February 1943, for duty in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations. While serving as a Staff Sergeant with Company B, 15th Infantry, he was honorably discharged 13 October 1944 and accepted a combat appointment as a second lieutenant in the Army of the United States on 14 October 1944. He then served as Platoon Leader and Company Commander with the 15th Infantry Regiment to August 1945. Upon his return to the United States in September 1945, he was sent to Fort Sam Houston, Texas where he accepted a commission as first lieutenant in the Officers' Reserve Corps on 21 August 1945 and was released from active duty on 21 September 1945. He was Federally recognized as Captain, National Guard of the United States on 19 October 1950. On 14 February 1956, he was Federally recognized as Major, National Guard of Texas and was promoted to Major, National Guard of the United States effective the same date. His status in the National Guard terminated 7 November 1966, by reason of withdrawal of Federal Recognition, and he was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve, where he held a commission as a major.



AWARDS



He is authorized the Medal of Honor; Distinguished Service Cross; Silver Star with First Oak Leaf Cluster; Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device and First Oak Leaf Cluster; Purple Heart with Second Oak Leaf Cluster; Legion of Merit; Good Conduct Medal; Distinguished Unit Emblem with First Oak Leaf Cluster; American Campaign Medal; European-Aftrican-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one silver service star, three bronze service stars and one bronze service arrowhead; World War II Victory Medal; Combat Infantry Badge; Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar; Expert Badge with Bayonet Bar; French Fourragere in Colors of the Croix de Guerre; French Legion of Honor, Grade of Chevalier; French Croix de Guerre with silver star, and the Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm.



ACTIVE SERVICE



He is credited with extended active service duty as an enlisted man from 30 june 1942 to 13 October 1944 and as a commissioned officer from 14 October 1944 to 21 September 1945. He died 28 May 1971 while in a Reserve status.