Audie Murphy

Audie Murphy

Audie Leon Murphy (June 20, 1924 – May 28, 1971) was one of the most famous and decorated American combat soldiers of World War II. He served in the European Theater of Operations where he was awarded the Medal of Honor and several other decorations for combat heroism including combat decorations from France and Belgium. Murphy became a celebrated Hollywood actor after the war for over two decades, appearing in 44 films, mostly westerns. He also had some success as a country music composer.

Murphy's successful movie career included To Hell and Back in 1955, based on his book of the same title in 1949 about his war experiences as an infantryman and infantry officer in World War II. Murphy died in a plane crash in Virginia in 1971, at age 46. He was interred, with full military honors, in Arlington National Cemetery.