kikibalt wrote:dagosd2000 wrote:We finished up the Civil War today at school. I always end this section with showing the movie"The Red Badge Of Courage" starring Audie Murphy. I've been teaching U.S History for 20 years and there hasn't been a kid who ever heard of him.
"Does anyone know who Audie Murphy was?"
"We know who Eddie Murphy is",is the usual response.
I show "The Red Badge Of Courage"to my classes every year,not only because it is a good represntation of a Civil War battle,but it gives me a chance to do a lesson about Audie Murphy.
I tell my classes that Audie was the most decorated war hero in United States military history. They're always amazed how young Murphy looked. How short he was. Later in the year I'll show them "To Hell And Back",the biographical story of Murphy's combat in World War II. I get great pleasure watching the other actors in that movie "glowing" in Murphy's presence. I saw a documentary on the making of "To Hell And Back". Some of the other actors like Paul Picerni and "The Golden Boy" Art Aragon said working with Murphy was a kick. A down to earth guy. They all laughed a lot. They all became friends. Being in his presence not only brought out the best in their performances,but they were just so damn proud to be with him. I know Art must have thought the world of Murphy because he named his son,Audie. That was good. That was real good that he named his son Audie.
Murphy and Aragon were around the same size. Both natural lightweights. Maybe they only weighed 130 pounds,but both were tough as nails. Full of life. They had their personal battles as well. But they never made excuses and never complained that they should have deserved more than what they got out of life. Both boys could take it as much as well as they could dish it out.
After attending last week's California Boxing Father and Son Luncheon,I talked to the class about the former champs like Mando Ramos,Bobby Chacon,Lttle Red,and"Boom Boom" Mancini. I talked about Art"Golden Boy" Aragon. They never heard of those guys.
Well I guess those former champs are in good company because those kids never heard of Audie Murphy either. But if you happen to sign up for my U.S. History class,you'll come out of it knowing about those champions and our country's greatest war hero. They are a part of our history that not many people,especially the young people,know about.
diego,
I met Audie Murphy in 1969 in China Lake Ca. thats in the Mojave Desert, there were some fights at the Naval Weapons Center, Murphy was there with Randy Shields and his dad Sonny, they introduce me to him, seen like a real nice guy, didn't put on no airs.
Rick Farris was there too.
Here is Audie Murphy's Medal of Honor Citation
"Official Narrative
For Medal of Honor Recipient
MURPHY, AUDIE L.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company B, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Holtzwihr France, 26 January 1945.
Entered service at: Dallas, Tex. Birth: Hunt County, near Kingston, Tex.
G.O. No.65, 9 August 1945.
CITATION: 2d Lt. Murphy commanded Company B, which was attacked by 6 tanks and waves of infantry. 2d Lt. Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to prepared positions in a woods, while he remained forward at his command post and continued to give fire directions to the artillery by telephone. Behind him, to his right, 1 of our tank destroyers received a direct hit and began to burn. Its crew withdrew to the woods. 2d Lt. Murphy continued to direct artillery fire which killed large numbers of the advancing enemy infantry. With the enemy tanks abreast of his position, 2d Lt. Murphy 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. He was alone and exposed to German fire from 3 sides, but his deadly fire killed dozens of Germans and caused their infantry attack to waver. The enemy tanks, losing infantry support, began to fall back. For an hour the Germans tried every available weapon to eliminate 2d Lt. Murphy, but he continued to hold his position and wiped out a squad which was trying to creep up unnoticed on his right flank. Germans reached as close as 10 yards, only to be mowed down by his fire. He received a leg wound, but ignored it and continued the single-handed fight until his ammunition was exhausted. He then made his way to his company, refused medical attention, and organized the company in a counterattack which forced the Germans to withdraw. His directing of artillery fire wiped out many of the enemy; he killed or wounded about 50. 2d Lt. Murphy's indomitable courage and his refusal to give an inch of ground saved his company from possible encirclement and destruction, and enabled it to hold the woods which had been the enemy's objective."
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Murphy was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star (2), Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (2), Purple Heart (3), French Legion of Honor, French Croix de Guerre (+ Palm), and Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 Palm, Good Conduct Medal and several unit and service medals.
On this cite, we honor (for the most part) boxers whom we admire. These were athletes who fought for a prize. It is fitting that we admire the athletic prowess and courage of these men.
But Audie Murphy was a true
FIGHTER who fought for his country. God bless Audie Murphy and veterans everywhere who fought in the service of their country!
What a tough guy Davila was, outside cuts only stopped by Gomez & Zarate, you don't get much better than that.
