Audie Murphy is known to the INSP audience as a heralded Western star, appearing more than 40 films during his Hollywood career. Many of those air on INSP, including Destry, Walk the Proud Land, 40 Guns to Apache Pass, Ride a Crooked Trail, The Quick Gun, The Guns of Fort Petticoat and Night Passage, among others.
Murphy’s unlikely career started when famed James Cagney saw Murphy’s photo on the cover of Life magazine. That’s when Cagney contacted Murphy to see if he’d ever think about acting. The rest, as they say, is history.
Murphy was also an American soldier, widely celebrated as the most decorated American soldier of World War II. He was wounded three times in battle and earned 33 medals, including the Medal of Honor when he was only 19, and three Purple Hearts.
The Medal of Honor is the military’s highest decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. Murphy received the Medal of Honor from Lt. Gen. Alexander M. Patch III on June 2, 1945.
The Purple Heart is awarded for being wounded or killed in combat.
On Sept. 15, 1944, shrapnel from a mortar shell tore up Murphy’s heel. The shell exploded between his feet. The blast killed two soldiers and severely injured three others, all standing close to Murphy.
A month later, on Oct. 26, 1944, Murphy was wounded again. A sniper’s bullet ricocheted through his right hip and buttock. Murphy returned fire right and hit his adversary between his eyes. A delay in getting treated caused gangrene to develop and his recuperation in hospital took several months. Several pounds of dead skin were carved away from his wounded buttock.
Murphy rejoined his unit Jan. 14, 1945, and less than two weeks later, a mortar blast caused wounds to his left leg. He removed as many metal splinters as he could, applied first aid, and then continued with his mission.
One small note regarding the Purple Heart and how it pertains to those soldiers who receive more than one. Multiple Purple Hearts are not distributed to soldiers, rather there are things that each respective military branch does to signify the award.
The Navy, Marines and Coast Guard award small gold stars to signify more than one Purple Heart. The Army, Air Force, and Space Force hand out oak leaf clusters, meaning Murphy, since he served in the U.S. Army, had one Purple Heart medal that he received from his first injury, with two subsequent oak leaf clusters for his other two injuries.
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About the Author
During his five-decade career, Robert Deason has written for multiple media. He did radio news, dreamed up TV commercials, created television/movie promotional spots in the U.S. and internationally, issued press releases, wrote a parenting blog, and has authored five novels (so far). Deason also loves stories and trivia, so researching and creating content about the west and western entertainment for INSP.com is an exciting new opportunity. Besides writing, Deason enjoys ballroom dancing with his wife, trivia contests, reading, volunteering, and traveling.
