74 years ago today.....

[fordson]

...... 2nd LT. Audie Murphy climbed abroad a burning M-10 Tank Destroyer and manned a M2 .50 cal MG. He fought for an hour from that burning tank, keeping at bay a larger force of German infantry.
From Wikipedia:
"Murphy mounted the abandoned, burning tank destroyer and began firing its .50 caliber machine gun at the advancing Germans, killing a squad crawling through a ditch towards him. For an hour, Murphy stood on the flaming tank destroyer returning German fire from foot soldiers and advancing tanks, killing or wounding 50 Germans. He sustained a leg wound during his stand, and stopped only after he ran out of ammunition. Murphy rejoined his men, disregarding his own injury, and led them back to repel the Germans. He insisted on remaining with his men while his wounds were treated."

He was only 19 years old.
I've been to the site of this action just outside of Holtzwihr, France, several times. The local community erected a small memorial to him and his man. The area is much as it was at the time with the exception of a small soccer field to the immediate south.
Thought you all might like to know.

 

[mbliss57]

I served in the 3rd Infantry Division in West Germany 1976-1979. This was Audie Murphy's division at the Colmar Pocket. His name and stories were told often... as they should be.. throughout our FA battery. That was only 31 years after the battle at the Colmer pocket took place in January 1945.
He had an unbelievable set of stones. A truer story of bravery and valor I have never read or heard about.

 

[kennethg]

Great post. We should never forget heroes like Audie Murphy.

 

[Ray]

I read his book To Hell and Back and remember seeing the movie with my mother when I was 7 or 8 years old, in 1956 or 1957.The only factual movie error was that the action took place in a snowy field.
Regards, Ray

 

[JeffNW]

Audie Murphy-America's most decorated soldier in WWII(or *ever?)

*Nope-that would be Marine Sgt. Major Daniel J. Daly in WWI. Murphy was
the second most decorated.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Don't Mess with Texas. Salute, Mr. Murphy!

 

[Rudi]

A true hero. We need more like him.

 

[kobsw]

...... 2nd LT. Audie Murphy climbed abroad a burning M-10 Tank Destroyer and manned a M2 .50 cal MG. He fought for an hour from that burning tank, keeping at bay a larger force of German infantry.
From Wikipedia:
"Murphy mounted the abandoned, burning tank destroyer and began firing its .50 caliber machine gun at the advancing Germans, killing a squad crawling through a ditch towards him. For an hour, Murphy stood on the flaming tank destroyer returning German fire from foot soldiers and advancing tanks, killing or wounding 50 Germans. He sustained a leg wound during his stand, and stopped only after he ran out of ammunition. Murphy rejoined his men, disregarding his own injury, and led them back to repel the Germans. He insisted on remaining with his men while his wounds were treated."

He was only 19 years old.
I've been to the site of this action just outside of Holtzwihr, France, several times. The local community erected a small memorial to him and his man. The area is much as it was at the time with the exception of a small soccer field to the immediate south.
Thought you all might like to know.

Frig'n toxic masculinity...

We all need to be reminded of such acts of extreme courage, action and bravery so that what we have today can be more appreciated and not taken so much for granted which in turn should make us reflect on what we all might loose as the very freedoms this exceptional 19 year fault to ensure are being threatened and in a lot of cases stripped away.

Thanks for posting this,

Kobsw

 

[JayFramer]

In a world today, anyone who can get through basic training is automatically branded "HERO" by many people and the media. It's just a term so overused today that it essentially become meaningless.

But Audie Murphy... I don't even know of a word yet invented for someone like him... unbelievable bravery, valor, just an absolute legend and one of the greatest warriors in human history. He was a TRUE hero, and NOBODY could even attempt to argue otherwise.

 

[hoosierone]

I was about 13 when I read his book. It was impressive as was the movie.
He came from a very humble background. His death was tragic and way to soon. Seeing the museum in Texas is on my bucket list.

 

[VaTom]

Visited the site several years ago. Here are some pictures. The Germans were advancing on the US position across the open ground from the village (see pictures). Audie Murphey ordered his men back into the tree line and then mounted the tank destroyed. A very inspiring place.

 

[fordson]

Visited the site several years ago. Here are some pictures. The Germans were advancing on the US position across the open ground from the village (see pictures). Audie Mumrphey ordered his men back into the tree line and then mounted the tank destroyed. A very inspiring place.

That's it! Thanks for posting the photos. I couldn't find my photos.
The soccer field is just down that road, about where the road turns. Those buildings in the left distance is the northern edge of the village today. They weren't there in '45.

 

[Tex1001]

Audie Murphy-America's most decorated soldier in WWII

I didn't realize that Murphy fought with the "Texas T" division, as did my wife's father. Both were from East Texas.
The 36ths actions in Africa, Sicily, Italy, and France could be summed up as:

When uncommon valor was common.

Over 2000 Silver Stars and 12 Presidential Unit Citations awarded.
My FIL was awarded a Silver Star, 3 Bronze Stars, and 3 Purple Hearts.
Gettin' those East Texas boys riled up is never a good idea.