Audie Murphy [1925-1971] was one of the most decorated U.S. soldiers in World War II. He single-handedly held off a company of German soldiers for an hour, then led a successful counterattack while wounded and out of ammunition. For his heroism he received every combat award possible from the U.S. Army, as well as awards from France and Belgium.
After the war he wrote his autobiography, went to Hollywood and became a movie star during a 21-year acting career, and later a successful businessman. He spoke out publicly about his own symptoms of what was then called "battle fatigue" or "shell shock". He also made appearances such as war monument dedications, which brought him to Alabama. He died in a small plane crash in Virginia and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Murphy came to Montgomery in late July 1968 to speak at the dedication of the Alabama War Memorial, a project of the American Legion. Included were marble monuments, a garden and a building. The newspaper articles below give more details about the event. A few years ago an audio recording of his remarks was discovered. Also below is the text of a resolution from the Alabama House passed after Murphy's death.
You can read here about efforts to revitalize the neglected Memorial almost fifty years later. As noted below, Murphy made at least two other appearances in Alabama.
His best known film is probably the 1955 To Hell and Back, based on his 1949 autobiography. Most of his other movies were westerns; I've seen many and enjoyed them. His acting range was pretty limited, but his personal appeal fit the movies he made very well.
Source: Wikipedia
Montgomery Advertiser 17 July 1968
I clipped most of this article from the Montgomery Advertiser 18 July 1968. The newspaper had other coverage I've not included in this post.
| FREEDOM FLIES IN YOUR HEART LIKE AN EAGLE |
Dusty old helmet, rusty old gun,
They sit in the corner and wait.
Two souvenirs of the Second World War
That have witnessed the time and the hate.
Mute witness to a time of much trouble
Where kill or be killed was the law.
Were these implements used with high honor?
What was the glory they saw?
Many times I've wanted to ask them...
And now that we're here, all alone,
Relics all three of that long ago war. . .
Where has freedom gone?
Freedom flies in your heart like an eagle.
Let it soar with the winds high above
Among the Spirits of soldiers now sleeping.
Guard with care and with love.
I salute my old friends in the corner.
I agree with all they have said . . .
And if the moment of truth comes tomorrow,
I'll be free, or by God, I'll be dead!
. . . Audie Murphy, 1968 |
This is the last known existing poem of Audie Murphy. It was written as part of a speech Murphy gave at the dedication of the Alabama War Memorial at Montgomery, Alabama on July 20, 1968. The poem was later recorded to music in an arrangement written by Scott Turner. It has also found its place on engraved memorials. Without question, it is probably the best known Audie Murphy poem. (Simpson, pp.374-376).
Montgomery Advertiser 20 July 1968
This long interview with Murphy was conducted on Saturday, July 20, before his appearance at the dedication banquet that night and published the next day in the Montgomery Advertiser.
Murphy returned to Alabama over a year later to meet with Gov. Albert Brewer in hopes of getting a state contract for his machinery company. This article appeared in the Montgomery Advertiser 25 September 1969. Note the author, Wayne Greenhaw, who went on to publish a variety of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, plays, etc., before his death in 2011.
ALABAMA JOINT HOUSE RESOLUTION 35: June 24, 1971| Alabama House Joint Resolution 35 Memorializes Audie Murphy and Claims Him as Her Own |
WHEREAS, On May 31, 1971, Audie Murphy met an untimely death in an aircraft accident; and WHEREAS, It is ironic that his death occurred on Memorial Day, a day when America honors its fallen combat heroes; and WHEREAS, Audie Murphy, the most decorated serviceman in the history of the military of the United States of America was a patriot in the true sense of the word, believing in and living the ideal that freedom and democracy are worth dying for; and
WHEREAS, On other visits to Alabama, Audie Murphy expressed his affection for the State of Alabama saying "On my one-time visit, I fell in love with this State, and its people have shown me great southern hospitality."; andWHEREAS, On July 20, 1968, Audie Murphy delivered the dedicatory address at dedication ceremonies of the Alabama War Memorial and Hall of Honor honoring Alabama fallens sons, and at that time, in referring to this memorial, said: "May it be an inspiration for other states to follow . . . that one day there will be fifty war memorials"; and
WHEREAS, Audie Murphy had consented to participate in the Spirit of America Fourth of July celebration in Decatur, Alabama, to help revitalize the spirit of patriotism in Alabamians, and although his body is enshrined in Arlington, we know his spirit will be with us; and WHEREAS, Audie Murphy's bravery, courage, devotion to and love of country and concern for his fellowman have been and will continue to be an example for all Americans to follow both in time of war and in time of peace; and WHEREAS, The Legislature of Alabama wishes to express it profound sadness and sense of loss upon the death of Audie Murphy; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the death of Audie Murphy has sadden the hearts of Alabamians, and that America has lost one of her true patriots. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED RESOLVED, That the Legislature requests that a place of honor be reserved for Audie Murphy in the Hall of Honor at American Legion Headquarters in Montgomery, with a copy of this resolution to be displayed there to show the world Alabama claims him as her own. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED RESOLVED, That the Legislature hereby requests that certain of his personal articles be collected by the Alabama Department of Archives and History there to be kept until duly dedicated to the State of Alabama. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be sent to his widow and two children who reside at 1201 Toluca Road, North Hollywood, California; the President of the United States; and to both Houses of the Congress of the United States. Approved June 24, 1971
Time: 11:45 A.M. |
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Murphy played himself in the 1955 film based on his life, To Hell and Back
Source: Audie Murphy Movies
His autobiography was published in 1949.
This film was released in 1959.
Murphy came to Birmingham in 1954 for some reason; here he is at the old Tutwiler Hotel which was demolished in 1974. The photo was taken by Eldred Perry of the Birmingham News. I've yet to determine the purpose of this visit, although perhaps it was related to a release that year of one of his films, Destry.
