AUDIE MURPHY

Audie Leon Murphy by age 21 or possibly 19 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 America. 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. He was credited with killing over 240 of the enemy while wounding and capturing many others, he was as a living legend in the 3rd Infantry Division. From an Army Private, Audie quickly rose to Staff Sergeant, he earned a "battle field" commission as 2nd Lieutenant, he was wounded three times as he fought in 9 major campaigns across Europe and survived the war.

During Audie Murphy's 3 years active service as a combat soldier in World War II, he became one of the best fighting combat soldiers of this or any other century. What Audie accomplished during this period will probably never be repeated by another soldier, given today's high-tech type of warfare. The U.S. Army has always declared that there will never be another Audie Murphy. On 21 September, 1945, Audie was released from the Army as an active member and reassigned to inactive status in the Texas Army National Guard. Audie suffered from what is now known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Always an advocate for the needs of veterans, he broke the taboo about discussing war related mental problems after this experience. In a effort to draw attention to the problems of returning Korean and Vietnam War veterans, Audie spoke-out candidly about his personal problems with PTSD, then known as "Battle Fatigue". He publicly called for the VA to give more study to the impact war has on veterans and to address PTSD and other mental health problems of returning war vets. He gave his time, energy and money to prevent the Korean war and Vietnam war veterans from suffering in their lives as he did in his.

While on a business trip on May 28, 1971, he was killed at the age of 46. A private plane flying in fog and rain crashed in the side of a mountain near Roanoke, Virginia.