Audie Murphy was the most decorated soldier during World War II. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military award for bravery given to any individual who risks his or her life
above and beyond the call of duty.
Audie Murphy's life was shaped by three things: the Great Depression of the 1930s, World War II of the 1940s, and a Hollywood career which began in the early 1950s and continued through the
1960s. The Depression and his family's poverty toughened him. The war was the experience that followed him all his life and brought him fame. Hollywood was never like real life to him. Of the
three, war was the definitive experience of his life.
On May 28, 1971, Audie and several other men were passengers on a private plane on their way to investigate a business opportunity. The plane crashed in fog and rain on the side of a mountain
near Roanoke, Virginia. All aboard were killed. Audie Murphy was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
Audie Murphy was a true American hero and his life was a rags-to-riches story. But in Audie Murphy: War Hero and Movie Star, author Judy Alter shows that fame does not always bring happiness.
