Audie Murphy

Audie Leon Murphy was an American soldier, actor, and songwriter, renowned as the most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II. Enlisting in the Army in 1942, he served with the 3rd Infantry Division and fought in nine major campaigns across the European Theater, including in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. Throughout his service, he demonstrated exceptional bravery and leadership, rising from the rank of private to a battlefield commission as a second lieutenant and earning every U.S. military combat award for valor available from the Army.

His most celebrated act of heroism occurred on January 26, 1945, at the Colmar Pocket in France. After his unit was attacked and his fellow soldiers began to fall back, First Lieutenant Murphy remained at his forward position. He climbed onto a burning M10 tank destroyer and used its .50 caliber machine gun to single-handedly hold off an advancing company of German infantry for over an hour. Wounded and exposed to enemy fire, he killed or wounded approximately 50 German soldiers before running out of ammunition. He then rejoined his men and led a successful counterattack that drove the enemy from the area.

For his actions at the Colmar Pocket, Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor. His extensive list of decorations also included the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals (one with a "V" device for valor), and three Purple Hearts. He was also honored by France and Belgium, receiving their versions of the Croix de Guerre and the French Legion of Honor. After the war, Murphy embarked on a 21-year acting career but also spoke openly about his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder, becoming an advocate for veterans' mental health.