Audie Murphy, 'What's My Line?': One of the Most Decorated Combat Soldiers of WW2, Texan, Democrat

[appalachiablue]

> STARTS *17:14 Minute Mark. MYSTERY GUEST: Audie Murphy, July 3, 1955. Film actor, primarily in Westerns, (b. 1925 - d. 1971). PANEL: Dorothy Kilgallen, Robert Q. Lewis, Arlene Francis, Bennett Cerf.
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- 'Audie Murphy Single-handedly Stopped a German Attack'. From Murphy’s exposed position on top of the burning tank destroyer, he killed over 20 German soldiers and repelled their attack. National WW2 Museum, Jan. 26, 2020.

On January 26, 1945, 2nd Lieutenant Audie L. Murphy was commanding company B of the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, near the French village of Holtzwihr when six German tanks and several hundred infantrymen attacked his company. Murphy ordered his men to fall back to defensive positions in nearby woods while he covered their withdrawal and called down artillery to slow the German advance. German fire hit an American tank destroyer nearby and set it on fire.

Witnesses later recalled how he “climbed on the burning tank destroyer, which was in danger of blowing up at any moment, and employed its .50 caliber machine gun against the enemy.” From Murphy’s exposed position on top of the burning tank destroyer, he killed over 20 German soldiers and repelled their attack. For more than an hour, Murphy continued to fire the machine gun, despite being wounded in the leg. He then led his company in a counterattack that killed or wounded 50 more German soldiers.

On April 23, 1945, at the age of only 19, Murphy received the Medal of Honor for his actions. Though Murphy’s heroism on January 26 was extraordinary, it was not the first time Murphy had distinguished himself. He had previously received over 20 awards for valor, including the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Star medals, and two Bronze Star medals for valor in Italy and France. After receiving the Medal of Honor, Murphy was widely celebrated as the most decorated American soldier in World War II and was featured on the cover of Life magazine.

After the war, Murphy’s national celebrity status brought him to the attention of Hollywood. He went on to have a prolific country music songwriting and acting career, starring in 44 feature films, including the movie adaptation of his autobiography, To Hell and Back. Despite Murphy’s stardom and success, the soft-spoken veteran was never comfortable being the center of attention. Murphy died on May 28, 1971 at the age of 45 in a plane crash near Roanoke, Virginia. He was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. ~
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/audie-murphy-single-handedly-stopped-german-attack



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audie_Murphy

[rsdsharp]

1. Audie Murphy acted in a number of western movies after he left the army.

During that time, westerns became very popular on TV. One of those was The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. It’s star, Hugh O’Brian, who had spent WWII as the youngest Drill Instructor in the Marine Corps, fancied himself a fast draw artist. He badgered Murphy to engage in a fast draw competition with O’Brian. Murphy always refused, but O’Brian persisted. Finally, Murphy agreed on one condition.

The condition? They use live ammunition. Suddenly, O’Brian was no longer interested.

[appalachiablue]

3. What an interesting story about the infamous Sheriff/O'Brien. In

college we knew a student named Earp who said he was a relative. I had no reason to doubt him.

[Doc Sportello]

2. A remarkable man in so many ways.

Stood 5'5" and weighed 100 pounds when he lied about his age to get in the army.

snip

Murphy was born into a large family of sharecroppers in Hunt County, Texas. His father abandoned them, and his mother died when he was a teenager. Murphy left school in fifth grade to pick cotton and find other work to help support his family; his skill with a hunting rifle helped feed his family.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Murphy's older sister helped him to falsify documentation about his birthdate in order to meet the minimum age requirement for enlisting in the military. Turned down initially for being underweight by the Army, Navy and the Marine Corps, he eventually was able to enlist in the Army. He first saw action in the 1943 Allied invasion of Sicily; then in 1944 he participated in the Battle of Anzio, the liberation of Rome, and the invasion of southern France. Murphy fought at Montélimar and led his men on a successful assault at L'Omet quarry near Cleurie in north-eastern France in October.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audie_Murphy

[appalachiablue]

4. One of a kind, amazing and courageous soldier. When I saw

some of his films as a child, I wish I'd known more about Murphy's stellar war service and background.

[Doc Sportello]

6. I think his size and background appealed to me as a youngster

My father who had served in WWII told me about Murphy watchign one of his films on tv. It was inspiring that someone slight of build and short like I was, could be a battlefield hero. And that someone who came from a very tough childhood and lack of education could go on to success and yet be, from the accounts I heard, a good man.

[appalachiablue]

7. Somehow we missed seeing Audie's films when

younger. In WWII my father was in the same areas in France and Germany but he didn't say much and we stupidly didn't ask. What I know is from my older brother, mom and recent research. Later in the 70s Dad liked watching Mash and Hogan's Heroes; he had a great sense of humor, was colorful and also respected tradition.

When I returned from a trip to Europe during college he liked the small gifts from Munich and environs we brought him. He handed me some of his insignia, his SAE fraternity pin and an SS patch. I now have his Bronze Star and 7 Step Army patch as well.

1st Lt., AAA Battalion, 7th Army, Operation Undertone Rhineland Campaign; Dachau Liberation, Munich, Nuremberg and then the Occupation. Mom said he had battle fatigue, that his group was badly attacked by 88s. He went to Marseilles on leave (like Audie) and eventually got better. Wonderful parents and The Greatest Generation.

[thinkingagain]

5. His movie "to Hell and back" covered some of his life

Of course his military time. There a good biography about him about his time after the war “The Price of Valor: The Life of Audie Murphy, America's Most Decorated Hero of World War II” by David Smith

It kinda talks how he had what would now be called PTSD.

Well worth the read especially if your an Audie Murphy fan.

[appalachiablue]

8. Thanks, I've seen parts of 'To Hell and Back,' some bios and

have read more about his military service and life recently. Remarkable soldier from a challenging background. There's a memorial to him on the Appalch Trail in Va. near where his plane went down I think. I'd like to visit it one day.

My father had battle fatigue from the war but not nearly as severe. (Post #7).

- Audie Murphy Memorial. Erected in 1974 on the Appalachian Trail about 3.6 miles south of Trout Creek--not too far west of Blacksburg, VA.

[ificandream]

9. Love watching this series on YouTube.

[appalachiablue]

10. Same here, an American TV gem.

[Abolishinist]

11. Regardless of Audie Murphy's political ideology,

which I'm not sure of and really not that interested in, his story is compelling.

And what I found interesting was not only watching Mr. Murphy's segment, but also the ones preceding his, especially the flag pole climber. There is obviously a social class difference between the climber, Mr. King, and the host, John Charles Daly and the panel, consisting of Dorothy Kilgallen, Arlene Francis, Bennett Cerf, and Robert Q. Lewis. But they treated one another and Mr. King with the utmost respect, just like regular folks having a good time with each other. And to think, if you made it all the way to the end you could end up with... trumpets please... the sum of $100!

Having watched a number of the What's My Line shows online, I really enjoy not only the cleverness of the back and forth but it's fun as well to watch them attempt to guess the guest's line of work. A basic set, black and white, dumb commercials yet entertaining.

[appalachiablue]

12. It was a great show in many ways as you say. Along

with several friends, one in film I always enjoy watching the program.