May 9, 2025 • 42 mins
Greetings, history enthusiasts. I'm Steve Matthews, and welcome back to WW2 Stories. Today, we're exploring the extraordinary life and heroism of America's most decorated combat soldier—Audie Murphy. His actions on a frigid January day in 1945 have become legendary, but the full story of this remarkable American hero reveals much more than a single act of courage, no matter how extraordinary.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Greetings, history enthusiasts. I'm Steve Matthews, and welcome
back to WW2 Stories. Today we're exploring the
extraordinary life and heroism of America's most decorated
combat soldier, Audie Murphy. His actions on a frigid January
day in 1945 have become legendary, but the full story of
(00:22):
this remarkable American hero reveals much more than a single
act of courage, no matter how extraordinary.
Picture a cold, snow covered forest in eastern France.
January 1945. World War 2 is in its final
months, though the men fighting don't know that yet.
The American forces are pushing the Germans back toward their
(00:45):
homeland, but the enemy is far from defeated.
In the region known as the Colmar Pocket, a desperate wear
mocked is making a ferocious stand.
Leading a company of battle weary American infantryman is a
baby faced Texan who looks more like a high school student than
a combat veteran. At just five feet 5 inches and
(01:06):
barely 130 lbs, Second Lieutenant Audie Murphy appears
almost childlike in his oversized combat gear.
Yet this unimposing young man has already established A
fearsome reputation among his fellow soldiers.
By this point in the war, Murphyhas killed dozens of enemy
soldiers, survived multiple wounds, and earned a battlefield
(01:28):
Commission. His men follow him without
question, knowing his uncanny instinct for combat has kept
them alive through some of the war's bloodiest campaigns.
But who is Audie Murphy and how did this diminutive
sharecropper's son from Texas become America's most decorated
soldier? His story begins far from the
battlefields of Europe, in the crushing poverty of rural Texas
(01:51):
during the Great Depression. Born on June 20th, 1924 near
Kingston, TX, Audie Leon Murphy was the 7th of 12 children in a
family of destitute sharecroppers.
His father, Emmett, abandoned the family when Audie was still
a boy, leaving his mother Josie to raise her children alone in
(02:13):
desperate conditions. When she died in 1941, the
family was broken apart completely.
Audie, just 16 at the time, was forced to place his younger
siblings in an orphanage while he struggled to support himself
through odd jobs. The crushing poverty of Murphy's
childhood shaped him in profoundways.
(02:34):
Unlike many of his future comrades who had enjoyed at
least some formal education, Murphy had dropped out of school
in the 5th grade to help supporthis family.
What he lacked in formal education, however, he made-up
for with practical skills. By necessity, he had become an
expert hunter, developing the marksmanship that would later
(02:55):
serve him so well in combat. Hunting wasn't a sport for young
Audie. It was survival.
If he didn't shoot squirrels andrabbits with deadly accuracy,
his family might not eat. This early responsibility also
fostered a deep sense of duty inMurphy.
As the oldest male in the household.
(03:15):
After his father's departure, heassumed the role of protector
for his siblings. This instinct to protect others
would later manifest in combat, where Murphy repeatedly risked
his life to save his fellow soldiers.
When Pearl Harbor thrust Americainto World War 2, Murphy
immediately tried to enlist. But at 5 feet 5 inches in 130
(03:38):
lbs, he was rejected by both theMarines and paratroopers as too
small. Undeterred, he joined the
infantry in June 1942, shortly after his 18th birthday.
His early letters home reveal a young man eager to prove
himself, writing to his sister. I joined the infantry.
(03:58):
They don't think I'm too little to fight.
Murphy's initial military training revealed little of the
extraordinary soldier he would become.
His basic training scores were unremarkable, and his quiet
demeanor didn't stand out among the thousands of young Americans
preparing for war. If his drill instructors noticed
anything unusual about Private Murphy, it was perhaps his
(04:21):
intense focus during marksmanship training, where his
skills already surpassed most ofhis peers.
Murphy's first taste of combat came during the Allied invasion
of Sicily in July 1943, where heserved with the Third Infantry
Division. Far from being intimidated,
Murphy displayed an immediate aptitude for battle.
(04:43):
His commanding officers noted his uncanny ability to sense
danger in his extraordinary marksmanship.
During one engagement, he killed2 Italian officers attempting to
escape on horseback, a display of shooting skill that amazed
his fellow soldiers. The Sicilian campaign gave
Murphy his first opportunity to demonstrate the almost
(05:05):
supernatural combat awareness that would become his hallmark.
Unlike many new soldiers who froze under fire, Murphy seemed
to develop an enhanced perception during combat.
He could sense enemy positions, anticipate threats and react
with extraordinary speed. Fellow soldiers began to notice
that when Murphy gave warnings or directions during combat,
(05:28):
ignoring him often proved fatal.But it was in the brutal
fighting at Anzio, Italy, in early 1944 that Murphy first
demonstrated the almost supernatural courage that would
become his hallmark. During one particularly fierce
engagement, Murphy's best friendwas killed by a German soldier
who had feigned surrender. Enraged, Murphy single handedly
(05:52):
attacked and destroyed a German machine gun position, killing
all its occupants. This action earned him the
Distinguished Service Cross, America's second highest award
for valor. The Anzio beach had became a
Crucible that forged Murphy's combat reputation.
For months Allied forces were pinned down on a narrow strip of
(06:13):
coastline, enduring constant bombardment and counter attacks.
The conditions were appalling, waterlogged foxholes, limited
rations and the constant threat of German artillery and air
attacks. Many soldiers broke under the
strain, but Murphy seemed to grow more focused and
determined. It was at Anzio that his fellow
(06:35):
soldiers first began to speak ofhim with a mixture of awe and
disbelief. As the Allied forces pushed
northward through Italy, Murphy's reputation continued to
grow. Fellow soldiers described him as
possessed of an eerie calm underfire, one Sergeant later
recalled. I've never seen anything like
it. The kid would walk through
(06:57):
artillery barges like he was taking a stroll in the park.
It wasn't that he didn't feel fear.
You could see it in his eyes sometimes, but he just wouldn't
give into it. Murphy's combat style was
distinctive. Unlike some soldiers who relied
on overwhelming firepower, Murphy employed stealth,
precision and an almost predatory patients.
(07:20):
He would study enemy positions carefully, identify
vulnerabilities, and then strikewith shocking suddenness.
His small size, initially A liability, became an advantage
as he could move quietly throughterrain where larger men would
be detected. This approach was evident during
the fighting near Rome, where Murphy earned his first Silver
(07:41):
Star. When his platoon was pinned down
by German machine guns, Murphy worked his way around the enemy
position. Approaching from an unexpected
direction, he eliminated the German Gunners with grenades and
rifle fire, then turned their own machine gun against
retreating enemy troops. Throughout this action, he
(08:02):
operated alone, without orders, taking the initiative that would
characterize his entire combat career.
By the time his division landed in southern France in August
1944, Murphy had been promoted to Sergeant and had already
earned multiple decorations. His combat instincts seem to
sharpen with each engagement. During one encounter near
(08:25):
Montelamar, he crept forward alone to destroy a German
machine gun nest that had pinneddown his platoon, killing six
German soldiers and capturing 11others.
For this action, he received a battlefield Commission to 2nd
Lieutenant. Murphy's promotion to officer
brought new responsibilities that tested different aspects of
(08:46):
his character. Now responsible for the lives of
dozens of men, he had to balancehis natural aggressiveness with
the welfare of his troops. By all accounts, he proved an
exceptional small unit leader. He never asked his men to take
risks he wouldn't take himself, and he possessed an uncanny
tactical sense that kept casualties lower than comparable
(09:08):
units. As the Allies pushed toward
Germany in late 1944, Murphy's company moved through the Vosge
Mountains of eastern France, fighting in miserable winter
conditions. By January 1945, the American
forces were engaged in clearing the Colmar Pocket, a bulge in
the front lines where German forces maintained A stubborn
(09:30):
defense. Which brings us to January 26th,
1945, the day that would foreverdefine Audie Murphy in American
military history. The morning dawned bitterly cold
over the snow covered fields near Holtsware, France.
Murphy's company be had spent a miserable night and hastily dug
(09:50):
foxholes, the frozen ground resisting their entrenching
tools, the temperature well below freezing.
Their position was exposed and vulnerable and open field with
scattered trees offering minimalcover.
Surrounded by dense forests thatcould conceal enemy movements.
Murphy's company was severely under strength after weeks of
(10:11):
heavy combat, with just nineteenmen of the original 128 still
fit for duty. Most were exhausted, having
fought continuously since the landing in southern France 5
months earlier. Ammunition was running low, food
was scarce, and the winter clothing provided to American
troops was inadequate for the harsh conditions.
(10:33):
Frostbite had become as dangerous an enemy as German
bullets. Lieutenant Murphy spent the
early morning moving among his men, checking their positions,
sharing what little coffee was available, and maintaining the
quiet confidence that had earnedtheir trust.
Despite his youthful appearance,at 20 he was younger than many
(10:53):
of the men he commanded. Murphy carried himself with the
weathered gravity of a much older veteran.
The sector had been relatively quiet for the past two days,
which experienced soldiers knew was often a prelude to attack.
German forces in the Colmar pocket were fighting with the
desperation of men defending their homeland's borders.
(11:15):
Though retreating on most fronts, the Wehrmacht remained a
formidable fighting force, well equipped and determined.
Around mid morning, Murphy's forward observers reported
vehicle movements in the forest to their front.
Initially dismissed as possible resupply activity, the situation
became clearer as the observers identified the unmistakable
(11:37):
profiles of German tanks, PanzerIvs, and at least one Tiger,
accompanied by hundreds of infantry and white winter
camouflage. By approximately 2:00 PM, the
German force had reached the edge of the forest, clearly
visible across the snow covered field.
Murphy's position was directly in their path. 6 tanks and
(11:59):
roughly 250 infantry soldiers were preparing to launch a
determined counter attack, hoping to restore their
defensive lines and push back American forces that had been
slowly constricting the Colmar pocket.
Murphy quickly assessed the situation.
His under strength company couldnot possibly hold against such
overwhelming force in their exposed position.
(12:22):
With calm decision making that had become his trademark, Murphy
ordered his men to withdraw to better defensive positions in
the wood line behind them. This tactical retreat would give
them better cover and concentrate their limited
firepower more effectively. But rather than join the
withdrawal, Murphy made the fateful decision to remain at
(12:42):
his forward command post. Using a field telephone, he
began directing defensive artillery fire onto the
advancing German forces. As shells rained down, the
German advance slowed but did not stop.
The tanks continued to rumble forward, their main guns firing
at suspected American positions while the infantry advanced in
(13:05):
bounds. Using the tanks for cover.
From his forward position, Murphy could see the deadly
efficiency of the German attack.Despite casualties from his
artillery fire, their advance maintain cohesion and momentum.
Unless something changed quickly, they would overwhelm
his company's new position within minutes.
(13:27):
It was at this critical moment that fate provided Murphy with
both a challenge and an opportunity.
A nearby M10 tank destroyer, essentially a tank armed with a
powerful gun but less heavily armored, was hit by German fire.
Its crew abandoned the vehicle as flames began to engulf it.
The tank destroyer, though burning, had a .50 caliber
(13:50):
machine gun mounted on top that was still operational.
In that moment, Murphy made a decision that seems almost
beyond comprehension. Rather than retreat to safety,
he climbed aboard the burning vehicle.
The M10 was already on fire. It's fuel and ammunition could
explode at any moment, and Murphy was exposing himself to
(14:12):
fire from hundreds of enemy soldiers.
Yet with cool deliberation, he took position behind the .50
caliber machine gun. The weapon gave him a crucial
advantage. It's heavy rounds could
penetrate the light armor of German personnel carriers and
inflict devastating casualties on infantry.
But to use it effectively meant standing fully exposed on top of
(14:36):
the burning vehicle, visible to every German soldier on the
field. The first German infantry to
spot Murphy atop the vehicle likely thought him mad, a lone
American standing exposed on a burning tank destroyer.
They soon discovered the lethal method.
In his apparent madness, Murphy opened fire with devastating
(14:56):
precision, sweeping the .50 calibers heavy rounds across the
advancing German lines. The effect was immediate and
shocking. German infantry caught an open
ground, fell in droves. Those who sought cover found
that the powerful rounds could penetrate the logs and frozen
earth they had behind. As bodies accumulated on the
(15:19):
snow, the stark white battlefield began to stain red
with blood. German commanders redirected
their focus toward this unexpected threat.
Machine gunfire and rifle roundsconverged on Murphy's position.
Bullets struck the tank destroyer around him, adding to
the danger of the already burning vehicle.
(15:40):
Somehow, amid this hurricane of fire, Murphy remained untouched
except for a minor leg wound that he ignored.
While maintaining fire with the machine gun, Murphy
simultaneously directed artillery strikes via his field
telephone, which he had carried with him to the tank destroyer.
This extraordinary feat of multitasking, firing the machine
(16:02):
gun while shouting fire coordinates into the telephone,
multiplied as effectiveness. German infantry now faced both
his direct fire in the explodingartillery shells he was calling
down upon them. The German tanks attempted to
target Murphy directly, but the burning tank destroyer made a
difficult target amidst the smoke and confusion.
(16:24):
Several near misses sent shrapnel flying around Murphy
but failed to dislodge him from his position.
One tank round struck so close that it temporarily knocked him
off his feet, but he quickly regained his position and
resumed firing. But German infantry squad
attempted to flank the tank destroyer, working their way
through a drainage ditch that offered some cover.
(16:48):
Murphy spotted the maneuver and swivel the machine gun, catching
the entire squad in the open as they emerged from the ditch.
None survived. Similar attempts from other
directions met the same fate, asMurphy seemed to possess an
almost supernatural awareness ofthreats approaching from all
sides. Throughout this ordeal, the tank
(17:09):
destroyer beneath Murphy continued to burn more
intensely. Black smoke billowed around him,
sometimes obscuring his vision completely.
The heat became nearly unbearable, with ammunition
inside the vehicle beginning to cook off, creating additional
explosions beneath his feet. The vehicle could completely
(17:30):
detonate at any moment, yet Murphy maintained his position.
German officers, recognizing that this single American was
stalling their entire advance, directed increasing firepower
toward Murphy. The area around the tank
destroyer was churned into a landscape of craters as mortars
and artillery targeted his position.
(17:52):
The intensity of fire directed at him was so great that the
snow and earth around the tank destroyer was systematically
stripped away, leaving bare muddy ground in a perfect circle
around his position. Despite this concentrated fire,
Murphy continued his one man defense.
His accuracy with the .50 caliber machine gun was
(18:13):
devastating, particularly against the German infantry.
Veterans later estimated that Murphy personally killed or
wounded approximately 50 German soldiers during his stand.
With each failed assault, the German attack lost momentum and
coordination. After nearly an hour atop the
burning tank destroyer, Murphy finally exhausted his
(18:36):
ammunition. The German force, though
bloodied installed, still had substantial combat power
remaining. Murphy's company, though, had
used the time he'd purchased to establish a solid defensive line
in The Woodlands behind the field.
Most men, having accomplished what Murphy had, would have
considered their duty done. Having expended his ammunition
(19:00):
wounded, and having stood atop aburning vehicle under intense
enemy fire for an hour, Murphy could have retreated to safety
with honor. Instead, he climbed down from
the tank destroyer, which was now completely engulfed in
flames, and joined his men at their defensive position.
Despite his wounds and exhaustion, Murphy immediately
(19:22):
took command, reorganizing his men for a counter attack.
In an extraordinary reversal, the badly outnumbered American
force, inspired by their commanders example, surged
forward against the now disorganized German attackers.
The counter attack caught the Germans by surprise, driving
them back to their starting positions and securing the
(19:43):
American line. The entire engagement lasted
less than two hours, but in thatbrief span Murphy had single
handedly changed the course of the battle.
His actions prevented his company from being overrun,
saved numerous American lives, and secured a critical sector of
the front. When senior officers arrived to
(20:05):
assess the situation, they foundit difficult to believe the
reports of what had transpired. One officer who witnessed
Murphy's stand from a distance, Captain Haskell Wexler, later
described the scene in almost mythological terms.
It was like watching something from another world, One man
standing tall against hundreds, wrapped in smoke and flame like
(20:27):
some ancient war God. Every time we thought he must
have been killed, the firing from that machine gun would
continue. None of us had ever seen
anything like it, and I doubt any of us ever will again.
In the immediate aftermath of the battle, Murphy downplayed
his actions with characteristic modesty.
When asked about his extraordinary stand, he
(20:50):
reportedly shrugged and said simply.
They were killing my friends. This straightforward explanation
perhaps comes closest to understanding Murphy's
motivation. Not abstract patriotism or
military glory, but the deeply personal commitment to
protecting those under his command.
The physical toll of Murphy's stand became apparent only after
(21:11):
the adrenaline of combat subsided.
Besides the leg wound he had largely ignored, he was
suffering from exhaustion, minorburns in the early stages of
trench foot, a painful conditioncaused by prolonged exposure to
cold, wet conditions. Yet he refused evacuation,
insisting on remaining with his company as they continued
(21:33):
operations in the Colmar pocket.Word of Murphy's extraordinary
actions spread quickly through military channels.
His battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Walter Drake,
immediately recommended him for the Medal of Honor, America's
highest military decoration. The recommendation included
statements from multiple witnesses, all describing
(21:56):
actions that seemed almost beyond belief.
Two months later, while still fighting in Germany, Murphy
received word that he was being awarded the Medal of Honor for
his actions at Holtzwear. By war's end, he had accumulated
every American combat award for valor available during World War
2, including the Distinguished Service Cross, 2 Silver Stars,
(22:19):
and three Purple Hearts, plus several decorations from France
and Belgium. In total, he received 33 awards
in medals, making him the most decorated American combat
soldier in history. But perhaps the most remarkable
aspect of Murphy's war record isthat he accomplished all this
before his 21st birthday. When Germany finally surrendered
(22:42):
in May 1945, Murphy was still only 20 years old.
He had packed more combat experience into three years than
most soldiers would see in a lifetime.
To fully understand the magnitude of Murphy's
achievement at Holtzwear we mustconsider the tactical situation
in greater detail. The German counter attack was no
(23:04):
desperate last stand by second rate troops, but a well planned
operation using experienced soldiers.
The 6th s s Mountain Division inelements of the 708th Folks
Grenadier Division. Participating in the attack were
elite units with extensive combat experience.
The German plan called for a classic combined arms assault
(23:25):
with tanks and infantry working in close coordination.
The tanks would provide heavy firepower and protection for the
advancing infantry, while the infantry would protect the tanks
from American anti tank weapons.It was a sound tactical approach
that had worked effectively throughout the war.
What the German commanders couldn't account for was Audie
(23:46):
Murphy. His position atop the burning
tank destroyer gave him significant advantages that he
exploited with deadly efficiency.
The elevated position provided Acommanding field of fire across
the open ground the Germans had to cross.
The .50 caliber machine gun, designed primarily as an anti
(24:07):
aircraft weapon, proved devastatingly effective against
infantry and open terrain. Murphy's uncanny combat instinct
allowed him to prioritize targets with deadly efficiency,
focusing first on German squad leaders and officers, then on
machine gun teams that pose the greatest threat to his company,
and finally on any infantry attempting to outflank his
(24:29):
position. This methodical approach
maximize the disruptive effect of his fire, preventing the
German infantry from establishing effective support
positions for their tanks. The psychological impact of
Murphy's stand shouldn't be underestimated.
German infantry, expecting to encounter only scattered
(24:49):
resistance from a retreating American force, instead faced
withering fire from what appeared to be a single madman
on a burning vehicle. The unnerving spectacle of this
lone figure, wreathed in smoke and seemingly impervious to
their fire, undoubtedly contributed to the deteriorating
morale of the attacking force. Weather conditions that day also
(25:10):
played a significant role. The snow covered ground provided
no natural cover for the attacking Germans, making them
highly visible targets against the white background.
The freezing temperatures meant that wounded soldiers rapidly
succumbed to exposure if they couldn't be evacuated quickly,
and the clear visibility allowedMurphy to engage targets at the
(25:33):
maximum effective range of his weapon.
The burned out hull of the tank destroyer remained on that field
for months after the battle, becoming something of a monument
to Murphy's stand. Local French civilians returning
to their homes after the fighting moved eastward.
We're told the story by Americantroops.
A local legend developed around the blackened vehicle, with some
(25:56):
claiming that on particularly cold nights they could still
hear the ghostly sound of its machine gun firing across the
field. In the larger context of the
Colmar Pocket campaign, Murphy'sactions at Holtz were
represented A crucial defensive stand that helped maintain the
integrity of the American line. Had his company's position been
(26:17):
overrun, the German forces mighthave exploited the breakthrough
to threaten the flank of the entire Third Division.
Instead, the American advance continued and within weeks the
entire Colmar Pocket was eliminated.
The aftermath of such intense combat experience is rarely
discussed in heroic narratives, but Murphy's post war life
(26:39):
reveals the complex legacy of combat trauma.
Returning to the United States as a national hero, Murphy found
himself struggling with what would later be recognized as
Severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD.
He experienced paralyzing nightmares, slept with a loaded
gun under his pillow, and battled alcoholism and gambling
(27:01):
addiction. In his autobiography, To Hell
and Back, Murphy wrote with painful honesty about these
struggles. After the war, they took Army
dogs and rehabilitated them for civilian life, but they turned
soldiers into civilians immediately and let him sink or
swim. Murphy's wife, actress Wanda
(27:21):
Hendricks, later revealed the extent of his night terrors.
He would wake up in the middle of the night, sometimes
screaming, sometimes reaching for a weapon that wasn't there.
Once I found him crouched behindour sofa, convinced that German
soldiers were advancing across our living room.
Their marriage eventually collapsed under the strain of
(27:41):
his undiagnosed PTSD. The nightmares often replayed.
Specific combat experiences withhis standard holds were
featuring prominently. Murphy would awaken, convinced
he was still atop that burning tank destroyer, surrounded by
German troops. These episodes became so severe
that he eventually began using sleeping pills, creating a
(28:05):
dependency that further complicated his recovery.
Yet despite these challenges, Murphy built a successful career
in Hollywood. Ironically, his first screen
test resulted in rejection because the producer thought he
looked too boyish and unmilitary.
Eventually, his wartime fame opened doors and he appeared in
(28:26):
over 40 films between 1948 and 1969, including the 1955 film
adaptation of his own autobiography, in which he
played himself. His most successful films were
westerns, where his natural horsemanship developed during
his Texas childhood and authentic toughness translated
(28:47):
well to the screen. While never considered a great
actor, Murphy brought a genuine quality to his roles that
resonated with audiences, particularly in films like The
Red Badge of Courage to Hell andBack and Night Passage.
Throughout his acting career, Murphy continued to speak
candidly about the psychologicalwounds of war.
(29:09):
Long before PTSD was widely recognized, he advocated for
greater support for returning veterans.
In a 1961 interview, he observedthe real heroes of the war are
those who never came home. For the rest of us, the battle
continues in different ways. This advocacy represented a form
(29:30):
of moral courage is significant in its way as his physical
courage it holds where at a timewhen combat trauma was often
dismissed as weakness or cowardice, Murphy used his
celebrity status to bring attention to the invisible
wounds carried by many veterans.His willingness to discuss his
own struggles helped reduce the stigma associated with Combat
(29:51):
Stress and encouraged other veterans to seek help.
Murphy's post war financial difficulties reflected another
common challenge faced by returning veterans.
Despite his film career and publishing success, Murphy
experienced significant financial setbacks, particularly
from failed business ventures inhis gambling addiction.
(30:13):
By the late 1960s, his Hollywoodcareer was in decline, and he
faced mounting debts and tax problems.
Despite these personal struggles, Murphy maintained an
abiding connection with the military community.
He remained in the National Guard and later transferred to
the Army Reserve, eventually rising to the rank of major.
(30:35):
He often spoke at veterans events and maintained
correspondence with many of the men who had served under his
command during the war. Murphy's life ended tragically
on May 28th, 1971, when the private plane in which he was
traveling crashed into a mountain near Roanoke, VA.
He was just 46 years old. He was buried with full military
(30:59):
honors at Arlington National Cemetery, his funeral attended
by thousands, including dignitaries, fellow actors, and
combat veterans from multiple wars.
The grave site at Arlington became one of the cemeteries
most visited locations, second only to that of President John F
Kennedy. A simple white headstone marks
(31:20):
the final resting place of America's most decorated
soldier, its modesty seeming appropriate for a man who never
sought glory but simply did whathe believed necessary.
In 1973, the Audio Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital was
established in San Antonio, TX, providing specialized care for
(31:40):
veterans suffering from PTSD andother combat related conditions.
This facility stands as perhaps the most fitting tribute to
Murphy's legacy, not just honoring his extraordinary
battlefield courage, but acknowledging his equally
important advocacy for those suffering from the psychological
wounds of war today. What makes Murphy's story so
(32:03):
compelling is not just the extraordinary moment atop that
burning tank destroyer, but the complex human being behind the
heroism. He was neither the simplistic
war hero of propaganda nor the broken veteran of cynical
revisionism, but something far more nuanced, a man of
extraordinary courage who also carried the profound
psychological costs of combat. Let's return once more to that
(32:26):
January day in 1945 and examine more closely what happened
during Murphy's stand. The psychological aspects of
combat are often overlooked in military histories, but they're
crucial to understanding what makes actions like Murphy so
extraordinary. Combat veterans often speak of
combat flow, a state of hyper focused awareness where training
(32:49):
takes over in fear receipts. Murphy later described his
experience in these terms. I was scared, but more than
that, I was mad. I just kept thinking that those
were my men back there and the Germans were trying to kill
them. This combination of fear, anger,
and protective instinct created a psychological state where the
(33:10):
normally overwhelming fear of death was temporarily suspended.
Murphy wasn't fearless. He was transcending fear through
a combination of training, rage and commitment to his men.
Doctor Charles Figley, a pioneerin the study of combat trauma,
has suggested that Murphy's extraordinary actions represent
an extreme example of what psychologists call peri
(33:33):
traumatic dissociation, a temporary mental state where the
mind separates from the normal fear response to function
effectively in life threatening situations.
This doesn't diminish Murphy's courage, but helps explain how a
human being could function so effectively under such
extraordinary pressure. Murphy's actions at Holtz where
(33:53):
also demonstrate the power of what military theorists call the
moral factor in combat. Faced with overwhelming physical
odds, Murphy's moral determination, his absolute
refusal to abandon his responsibility to his men,
created a force multiplier that transcended the mathematical
calculations of weapons, ammunition and manpower.
(34:16):
This moral factor, difficult to quantify but often decisive in
combat, represents the human dimension of warfare that
technology can never replace. The men who served under
Murphy's command never forgot what he did for them that day,
David Laddie, who survived the battle as one of Murphy's
Rifleman, later recalled. Lieutenant Murphy didn't have to
(34:38):
stay behind. He could have withdrawn with us
and no one would have blamed him.
But that wasn't the kind of officer he was.
He always put us first, and on that day he was willing to die
rather than let us down. How do you ever repay something
like that? Perhaps you can't repay such a
debt, but you can honor it through remembrance.
(35:01):
Each year on the anniversary of the battle, survivors of Company
B and their descendants gather at Murphy's grave in Arlington
to pay their respects. The gathering has grown smaller
as the World War Two generation passes, but the tradition
continues, a testament to the enduring impact of one man's
extraordinary courage. In military academies around the
(35:23):
world, Murphy's standard hold swear is still studied as an
example of the decisive impact individual initiative can have
on the battlefield. Despite the increasingly
technological nature of Modern Warfare, the human element,
courage, leadership, and tactical judgment remains
central to combat effectiveness.Murphy's actions demonstrate
(35:45):
that a single determined individual can sometimes achieve
what sophisticated weapon systems cannot.
The village of Holts, where itself has not forgotten a
modest monument near the site ofMurphy's Stand, bears a simple
inscription in French and English.
Here, Second Lieutenant Audio Murphy of the 15th Infantry
(36:06):
Regiment, Third Infantry Division, on January 26th, 1945,
single handedly delayed a Germanattack, saving his company and
turning defeat into victory. From this field of battle to the
motion picture screen, he alwaysremained a champion of freedom.
Local residents still tell the story, though with each passing
(36:28):
generation it takes on more of the quality of legend than
history. French school children learn
about the young American who stood against hundreds of German
soldiers, the tale now woven into the regional identity
alongside much older stories of Joan of Arc and Charlemagne.
For Americans, Murphy's story resonates because it embodies
(36:49):
values deeply embedded in the national character, individual
initiative, courage against overwhelming odds, and the
potential for greatness. Regardless of humble origins,
his journey from impoverished Texas farm boy to war hero to
Hollywood star seems to validatethe American belief in
meritocracy and social mobility.Yet the full story of Audie
(37:11):
Murphy, including his struggles with PTSD and his advocacy for
veterans, offers a more nuanced perspective than simple heroic
narratives allow. It reminds us that the costs of
war extend far beyond the battlefield, that even the most
extraordinary courage can carry a heavy psychological price, and
that true heroism lies not just in moments of physical bravery
(37:34):
but in the longer struggle to heal and help others heal from
the wounds of war. The burning question that haunts
Murphy's story is what drives a person to such extraordinary
acts of courage? Why did this particular young
man, out of millions who served repeatedly, demonstrate such
remarkable valor? Murphy himself never offered a
(37:55):
satisfactory explanation, typically shrugging off such
questions. But those who knew him well
suggest that his difficult childhood had forged exceptional
resilience. Having survived extreme poverty,
the abandonment by his father and the death of his mother,
Murphy had developed an unusually strong sense of
self-reliance and determination.Others point to his devoted
(38:20):
concern for his fellow soldiers.Murphy's combat heroism almost
always involved protecting others.
The rage he described feeling during his stand at Holswear was
not abstract patriotism, but a very personal determination to
protect the man under his command.
Men. He viewed his family in a way
his broken childhood had never provided.
(38:42):
There's also the matter of his extraordinary natural gifts.
As a soldier, Murphy possessed exceptional marksmanship,
situational awareness, and tactical instinct.
These qualities, combined with asurprisingly analytical mind
that could assess combat situations rapidly, made him
particularly effective in the chaos of battle.
(39:04):
His physical size, initially A barrier to military service, may
have ultimately proved advantageous.
Murphy's small frame presented Areduced target, and he could
move quickly and quietly in wayslarger men could not.
German prisoners captured after encounters with Murphy
frequently expressed surprise atdiscovering their tormentor was
(39:26):
such a physically unimposing figure.
The most compelling explanation may be the simplest.
Murphy was an ordinary person who, when repeatedly tested
under the most extreme circumstances, discovered within
himself extraordinary reserves of courage and determination.
His story reminds us that heroism often emerges not from
(39:46):
fearlessness but from the decision to act decisively
despite fear. In our cynical age, it's
tempting to look for flaws in our heroes, to assume feet of
clay beneath every pedestal. Murphy certainly had his share
of human frailties, his struggles with PTSD, his
gambling problems, his occasional volatility.
(40:09):
But these human weaknesses make his moments of extraordinary
courage more impressive, not less.
His heroism wasn't the product of some bulletproof superhero,
but of a flesh and blood human being choosing valor despite all
too human fear. From humble beginnings in rural
Texas poverty to the pinnacle ofmilitary honor, Audie Murphy's
(40:30):
life traces an ark that seems almost mythical.
Yet the reality, a complex, troubled, extraordinarily brave
young man thrust into history's greatest conflict is far more
interesting than any myth. His legacy lives on not just in
military history books or Hollywood films, but in the
lives touched by his example andadvocacy.
(40:52):
Every veteran receiving treatment for PTSD, every
soldier studying small unit tactics, every American
reflecting on the human dimension of warfare.
All are in some way inheritors of Audie Murphy's complicated,
compelling legacy. Perhaps the final word should go
to Murphy himself, who once reflected.
(41:13):
When I was growing up, there wasalways an older person saying to
me, you'll never amount to anything.
But the truth is we never know what we're capable of until
we're tested. The heroes I knew in the war
weren't trying to be heroes. They were just ordinary men
doing what had to be done, even when they were terrified.
That's all I ever did. In that simple statement lies
(41:36):
perhaps the most important lesson of Murphy's extraordinary
life, that within ordinary people, even the most unlikely
among us, may lie the capacity for extraordinary courage when
the moment demands it. That's all for today.
On WW2 Stories, I'm Steve Matthews, reminding you that
history isn't just about grand strategies and sweeping
(41:58):
movements, but about individual human beings making choices
under the most extreme circumstances.
Until next time, stay curious and keep exploring the past.
Greetings, history enthusiasts. I'm Steve Matthews, and welcome
back to WW2 Stories. Today we're exploring the
extraordinary life and heroism of America's most decorated
combat soldier, Audie Murphy. His actions on a frigid January
day in 1945 have become legendary, but the full story of
(00:22):
this remarkable American hero reveals much more than a single
act of courage, no matter how extraordinary.
Picture a cold, snow covered forest in eastern France.
January 1945. World War 2 is in its final
months, though the men fighting don't know that yet.
The American forces are pushing the Germans back toward their
(00:45):
homeland, but the enemy is far from defeated.
In the region known as the Colmar Pocket, a desperate wear
mocked is making a ferocious stand.
Leading a company of battle weary American infantryman is a
baby faced Texan who looks more like a high school student than
a combat veteran. At just five feet 5 inches and
(01:06):
barely 130 lbs, Second Lieutenant Audie Murphy appears
almost childlike in his oversized combat gear.
Yet this unimposing young man has already established A
fearsome reputation among his fellow soldiers.
By this point in the war, Murphyhas killed dozens of enemy
soldiers, survived multiple wounds, and earned a battlefield
(01:28):
Commission. His men follow him without
question, knowing his uncanny instinct for combat has kept
them alive through some of the war's bloodiest campaigns.
But who is Audie Murphy and how did this diminutive
sharecropper's son from Texas become America's most decorated
soldier? His story begins far from the
battlefields of Europe, in the crushing poverty of rural Texas
(01:51):
during the Great Depression. Born on June 20th, 1924 near
Kingston, TX, Audie Leon Murphy was the 7th of 12 children in a
family of destitute sharecroppers.
His father, Emmett, abandoned the family when Audie was still
a boy, leaving his mother Josie to raise her children alone in
(02:13):
desperate conditions. When she died in 1941, the
family was broken apart completely.
Audie, just 16 at the time, was forced to place his younger
siblings in an orphanage while he struggled to support himself
through odd jobs. The crushing poverty of Murphy's
childhood shaped him in profoundways.
(02:34):
Unlike many of his future comrades who had enjoyed at
least some formal education, Murphy had dropped out of school
in the 5th grade to help supporthis family.
What he lacked in formal education, however, he made-up
for with practical skills. By necessity, he had become an
expert hunter, developing the marksmanship that would later
(02:55):
serve him so well in combat. Hunting wasn't a sport for young
Audie. It was survival.
If he didn't shoot squirrels andrabbits with deadly accuracy,
his family might not eat. This early responsibility also
fostered a deep sense of duty inMurphy.
As the oldest male in the household.
(03:15):
After his father's departure, heassumed the role of protector
for his siblings. This instinct to protect others
would later manifest in combat, where Murphy repeatedly risked
his life to save his fellow soldiers.
When Pearl Harbor thrust Americainto World War 2, Murphy
immediately tried to enlist. But at 5 feet 5 inches in 130
(03:38):
lbs, he was rejected by both theMarines and paratroopers as too
small. Undeterred, he joined the
infantry in June 1942, shortly after his 18th birthday.
His early letters home reveal a young man eager to prove
himself, writing to his sister. I joined the infantry.
(03:58):
They don't think I'm too little to fight.
Murphy's initial military training revealed little of the
extraordinary soldier he would become.
His basic training scores were unremarkable, and his quiet
demeanor didn't stand out among the thousands of young Americans
preparing for war. If his drill instructors noticed
anything unusual about Private Murphy, it was perhaps his
(04:21):
intense focus during marksmanship training, where his
skills already surpassed most ofhis peers.
Murphy's first taste of combat came during the Allied invasion
of Sicily in July 1943, where heserved with the Third Infantry
Division. Far from being intimidated,
Murphy displayed an immediate aptitude for battle.
(04:43):
His commanding officers noted his uncanny ability to sense
danger in his extraordinary marksmanship.
During one engagement, he killed2 Italian officers attempting to
escape on horseback, a display of shooting skill that amazed
his fellow soldiers. The Sicilian campaign gave
Murphy his first opportunity to demonstrate the almost
(05:05):
supernatural combat awareness that would become his hallmark.
Unlike many new soldiers who froze under fire, Murphy seemed
to develop an enhanced perception during combat.
He could sense enemy positions, anticipate threats and react
with extraordinary speed. Fellow soldiers began to notice
that when Murphy gave warnings or directions during combat,
(05:28):
ignoring him often proved fatal.But it was in the brutal
fighting at Anzio, Italy, in early 1944 that Murphy first
demonstrated the almost supernatural courage that would
become his hallmark. During one particularly fierce
engagement, Murphy's best friendwas killed by a German soldier
who had feigned surrender. Enraged, Murphy single handedly
(05:52):
attacked and destroyed a German machine gun position, killing
all its occupants. This action earned him the
Distinguished Service Cross, America's second highest award
for valor. The Anzio beach had became a
Crucible that forged Murphy's combat reputation.
For months Allied forces were pinned down on a narrow strip of
(06:13):
coastline, enduring constant bombardment and counter attacks.
The conditions were appalling, waterlogged foxholes, limited
rations and the constant threat of German artillery and air
attacks. Many soldiers broke under the
strain, but Murphy seemed to grow more focused and
determined. It was at Anzio that his fellow
(06:35):
soldiers first began to speak ofhim with a mixture of awe and
disbelief. As the Allied forces pushed
northward through Italy, Murphy's reputation continued to
grow. Fellow soldiers described him as
possessed of an eerie calm underfire, one Sergeant later
recalled. I've never seen anything like
it. The kid would walk through
(06:57):
artillery barges like he was taking a stroll in the park.
It wasn't that he didn't feel fear.
You could see it in his eyes sometimes, but he just wouldn't
give into it. Murphy's combat style was
distinctive. Unlike some soldiers who relied
on overwhelming firepower, Murphy employed stealth,
precision and an almost predatory patients.
(07:20):
He would study enemy positions carefully, identify
vulnerabilities, and then strikewith shocking suddenness.
His small size, initially A liability, became an advantage
as he could move quietly throughterrain where larger men would
be detected. This approach was evident during
the fighting near Rome, where Murphy earned his first Silver
(07:41):
Star. When his platoon was pinned down
by German machine guns, Murphy worked his way around the enemy
position. Approaching from an unexpected
direction, he eliminated the German Gunners with grenades and
rifle fire, then turned their own machine gun against
retreating enemy troops. Throughout this action, he
(08:02):
operated alone, without orders, taking the initiative that would
characterize his entire combat career.
By the time his division landed in southern France in August
1944, Murphy had been promoted to Sergeant and had already
earned multiple decorations. His combat instincts seem to
sharpen with each engagement. During one encounter near
(08:25):
Montelamar, he crept forward alone to destroy a German
machine gun nest that had pinneddown his platoon, killing six
German soldiers and capturing 11others.
For this action, he received a battlefield Commission to 2nd
Lieutenant. Murphy's promotion to officer
brought new responsibilities that tested different aspects of
(08:46):
his character. Now responsible for the lives of
dozens of men, he had to balancehis natural aggressiveness with
the welfare of his troops. By all accounts, he proved an
exceptional small unit leader. He never asked his men to take
risks he wouldn't take himself, and he possessed an uncanny
tactical sense that kept casualties lower than comparable
(09:08):
units. As the Allies pushed toward
Germany in late 1944, Murphy's company moved through the Vosge
Mountains of eastern France, fighting in miserable winter
conditions. By January 1945, the American
forces were engaged in clearing the Colmar Pocket, a bulge in
the front lines where German forces maintained A stubborn
(09:30):
defense. Which brings us to January 26th,
1945, the day that would foreverdefine Audie Murphy in American
military history. The morning dawned bitterly cold
over the snow covered fields near Holtsware, France.
Murphy's company be had spent a miserable night and hastily dug
(09:50):
foxholes, the frozen ground resisting their entrenching
tools, the temperature well below freezing.
Their position was exposed and vulnerable and open field with
scattered trees offering minimalcover.
Surrounded by dense forests thatcould conceal enemy movements.
Murphy's company was severely under strength after weeks of
(10:11):
heavy combat, with just nineteenmen of the original 128 still
fit for duty. Most were exhausted, having
fought continuously since the landing in southern France 5
months earlier. Ammunition was running low, food
was scarce, and the winter clothing provided to American
troops was inadequate for the harsh conditions.
(10:33):
Frostbite had become as dangerous an enemy as German
bullets. Lieutenant Murphy spent the
early morning moving among his men, checking their positions,
sharing what little coffee was available, and maintaining the
quiet confidence that had earnedtheir trust.
Despite his youthful appearance,at 20 he was younger than many
(10:53):
of the men he commanded. Murphy carried himself with the
weathered gravity of a much older veteran.
The sector had been relatively quiet for the past two days,
which experienced soldiers knew was often a prelude to attack.
German forces in the Colmar pocket were fighting with the
desperation of men defending their homeland's borders.
(11:15):
Though retreating on most fronts, the Wehrmacht remained a
formidable fighting force, well equipped and determined.
Around mid morning, Murphy's forward observers reported
vehicle movements in the forest to their front.
Initially dismissed as possible resupply activity, the situation
became clearer as the observers identified the unmistakable
(11:37):
profiles of German tanks, PanzerIvs, and at least one Tiger,
accompanied by hundreds of infantry and white winter
camouflage. By approximately 2:00 PM, the
German force had reached the edge of the forest, clearly
visible across the snow covered field.
Murphy's position was directly in their path. 6 tanks and
(11:59):
roughly 250 infantry soldiers were preparing to launch a
determined counter attack, hoping to restore their
defensive lines and push back American forces that had been
slowly constricting the Colmar pocket.
Murphy quickly assessed the situation.
His under strength company couldnot possibly hold against such
overwhelming force in their exposed position.
(12:22):
With calm decision making that had become his trademark, Murphy
ordered his men to withdraw to better defensive positions in
the wood line behind them. This tactical retreat would give
them better cover and concentrate their limited
firepower more effectively. But rather than join the
withdrawal, Murphy made the fateful decision to remain at
(12:42):
his forward command post. Using a field telephone, he
began directing defensive artillery fire onto the
advancing German forces. As shells rained down, the
German advance slowed but did not stop.
The tanks continued to rumble forward, their main guns firing
at suspected American positions while the infantry advanced in
(13:05):
bounds. Using the tanks for cover.
From his forward position, Murphy could see the deadly
efficiency of the German attack.Despite casualties from his
artillery fire, their advance maintain cohesion and momentum.
Unless something changed quickly, they would overwhelm
his company's new position within minutes.
(13:27):
It was at this critical moment that fate provided Murphy with
both a challenge and an opportunity.
A nearby M10 tank destroyer, essentially a tank armed with a
powerful gun but less heavily armored, was hit by German fire.
Its crew abandoned the vehicle as flames began to engulf it.
The tank destroyer, though burning, had a .50 caliber
(13:50):
machine gun mounted on top that was still operational.
In that moment, Murphy made a decision that seems almost
beyond comprehension. Rather than retreat to safety,
he climbed aboard the burning vehicle.
The M10 was already on fire. It's fuel and ammunition could
explode at any moment, and Murphy was exposing himself to
(14:12):
fire from hundreds of enemy soldiers.
Yet with cool deliberation, he took position behind the .50
caliber machine gun. The weapon gave him a crucial
advantage. It's heavy rounds could
penetrate the light armor of German personnel carriers and
inflict devastating casualties on infantry.
But to use it effectively meant standing fully exposed on top of
(14:36):
the burning vehicle, visible to every German soldier on the
field. The first German infantry to
spot Murphy atop the vehicle likely thought him mad, a lone
American standing exposed on a burning tank destroyer.
They soon discovered the lethal method.
In his apparent madness, Murphy opened fire with devastating
(14:56):
precision, sweeping the .50 calibers heavy rounds across the
advancing German lines. The effect was immediate and
shocking. German infantry caught an open
ground, fell in droves. Those who sought cover found
that the powerful rounds could penetrate the logs and frozen
earth they had behind. As bodies accumulated on the
(15:19):
snow, the stark white battlefield began to stain red
with blood. German commanders redirected
their focus toward this unexpected threat.
Machine gunfire and rifle roundsconverged on Murphy's position.
Bullets struck the tank destroyer around him, adding to
the danger of the already burning vehicle.
(15:40):
Somehow, amid this hurricane of fire, Murphy remained untouched
except for a minor leg wound that he ignored.
While maintaining fire with the machine gun, Murphy
simultaneously directed artillery strikes via his field
telephone, which he had carried with him to the tank destroyer.
This extraordinary feat of multitasking, firing the machine
(16:02):
gun while shouting fire coordinates into the telephone,
multiplied as effectiveness. German infantry now faced both
his direct fire in the explodingartillery shells he was calling
down upon them. The German tanks attempted to
target Murphy directly, but the burning tank destroyer made a
difficult target amidst the smoke and confusion.
(16:24):
Several near misses sent shrapnel flying around Murphy
but failed to dislodge him from his position.
One tank round struck so close that it temporarily knocked him
off his feet, but he quickly regained his position and
resumed firing. But German infantry squad
attempted to flank the tank destroyer, working their way
through a drainage ditch that offered some cover.
(16:48):
Murphy spotted the maneuver and swivel the machine gun, catching
the entire squad in the open as they emerged from the ditch.
None survived. Similar attempts from other
directions met the same fate, asMurphy seemed to possess an
almost supernatural awareness ofthreats approaching from all
sides. Throughout this ordeal, the tank
(17:09):
destroyer beneath Murphy continued to burn more
intensely. Black smoke billowed around him,
sometimes obscuring his vision completely.
The heat became nearly unbearable, with ammunition
inside the vehicle beginning to cook off, creating additional
explosions beneath his feet. The vehicle could completely
(17:30):
detonate at any moment, yet Murphy maintained his position.
German officers, recognizing that this single American was
stalling their entire advance, directed increasing firepower
toward Murphy. The area around the tank
destroyer was churned into a landscape of craters as mortars
and artillery targeted his position.
(17:52):
The intensity of fire directed at him was so great that the
snow and earth around the tank destroyer was systematically
stripped away, leaving bare muddy ground in a perfect circle
around his position. Despite this concentrated fire,
Murphy continued his one man defense.
His accuracy with the .50 caliber machine gun was
(18:13):
devastating, particularly against the German infantry.
Veterans later estimated that Murphy personally killed or
wounded approximately 50 German soldiers during his stand.
With each failed assault, the German attack lost momentum and
coordination. After nearly an hour atop the
burning tank destroyer, Murphy finally exhausted his
(18:36):
ammunition. The German force, though
bloodied installed, still had substantial combat power
remaining. Murphy's company, though, had
used the time he'd purchased to establish a solid defensive line
in The Woodlands behind the field.
Most men, having accomplished what Murphy had, would have
considered their duty done. Having expended his ammunition
(19:00):
wounded, and having stood atop aburning vehicle under intense
enemy fire for an hour, Murphy could have retreated to safety
with honor. Instead, he climbed down from
the tank destroyer, which was now completely engulfed in
flames, and joined his men at their defensive position.
Despite his wounds and exhaustion, Murphy immediately
(19:22):
took command, reorganizing his men for a counter attack.
In an extraordinary reversal, the badly outnumbered American
force, inspired by their commanders example, surged
forward against the now disorganized German attackers.
The counter attack caught the Germans by surprise, driving
them back to their starting positions and securing the
(19:43):
American line. The entire engagement lasted
less than two hours, but in thatbrief span Murphy had single
handedly changed the course of the battle.
His actions prevented his company from being overrun,
saved numerous American lives, and secured a critical sector of
the front. When senior officers arrived to
(20:05):
assess the situation, they foundit difficult to believe the
reports of what had transpired. One officer who witnessed
Murphy's stand from a distance, Captain Haskell Wexler, later
described the scene in almost mythological terms.
It was like watching something from another world, One man
standing tall against hundreds, wrapped in smoke and flame like
(20:27):
some ancient war God. Every time we thought he must
have been killed, the firing from that machine gun would
continue. None of us had ever seen
anything like it, and I doubt any of us ever will again.
In the immediate aftermath of the battle, Murphy downplayed
his actions with characteristic modesty.
When asked about his extraordinary stand, he
(20:50):
reportedly shrugged and said simply.
They were killing my friends. This straightforward explanation
perhaps comes closest to understanding Murphy's
motivation. Not abstract patriotism or
military glory, but the deeply personal commitment to
protecting those under his command.
The physical toll of Murphy's stand became apparent only after
(21:11):
the adrenaline of combat subsided.
Besides the leg wound he had largely ignored, he was
suffering from exhaustion, minorburns in the early stages of
trench foot, a painful conditioncaused by prolonged exposure to
cold, wet conditions. Yet he refused evacuation,
insisting on remaining with his company as they continued
(21:33):
operations in the Colmar pocket.Word of Murphy's extraordinary
actions spread quickly through military channels.
His battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Walter Drake,
immediately recommended him for the Medal of Honor, America's
highest military decoration. The recommendation included
statements from multiple witnesses, all describing
(21:56):
actions that seemed almost beyond belief.
Two months later, while still fighting in Germany, Murphy
received word that he was being awarded the Medal of Honor for
his actions at Holtzwear. By war's end, he had accumulated
every American combat award for valor available during World War
2, including the Distinguished Service Cross, 2 Silver Stars,
(22:19):
and three Purple Hearts, plus several decorations from France
and Belgium. In total, he received 33 awards
in medals, making him the most decorated American combat
soldier in history. But perhaps the most remarkable
aspect of Murphy's war record isthat he accomplished all this
before his 21st birthday. When Germany finally surrendered
(22:42):
in May 1945, Murphy was still only 20 years old.
He had packed more combat experience into three years than
most soldiers would see in a lifetime.
To fully understand the magnitude of Murphy's
achievement at Holtzwear we mustconsider the tactical situation
in greater detail. The German counter attack was no
(23:04):
desperate last stand by second rate troops, but a well planned
operation using experienced soldiers.
The 6th s s Mountain Division inelements of the 708th Folks
Grenadier Division. Participating in the attack were
elite units with extensive combat experience.
The German plan called for a classic combined arms assault
(23:25):
with tanks and infantry working in close coordination.
The tanks would provide heavy firepower and protection for the
advancing infantry, while the infantry would protect the tanks
from American anti tank weapons.It was a sound tactical approach
that had worked effectively throughout the war.
What the German commanders couldn't account for was Audie
(23:46):
Murphy. His position atop the burning
tank destroyer gave him significant advantages that he
exploited with deadly efficiency.
The elevated position provided Acommanding field of fire across
the open ground the Germans had to cross.
The .50 caliber machine gun, designed primarily as an anti
(24:07):
aircraft weapon, proved devastatingly effective against
infantry and open terrain. Murphy's uncanny combat instinct
allowed him to prioritize targets with deadly efficiency,
focusing first on German squad leaders and officers, then on
machine gun teams that pose the greatest threat to his company,
and finally on any infantry attempting to outflank his
(24:29):
position. This methodical approach
maximize the disruptive effect of his fire, preventing the
German infantry from establishing effective support
positions for their tanks. The psychological impact of
Murphy's stand shouldn't be underestimated.
German infantry, expecting to encounter only scattered
(24:49):
resistance from a retreating American force, instead faced
withering fire from what appeared to be a single madman
on a burning vehicle. The unnerving spectacle of this
lone figure, wreathed in smoke and seemingly impervious to
their fire, undoubtedly contributed to the deteriorating
morale of the attacking force. Weather conditions that day also
(25:10):
played a significant role. The snow covered ground provided
no natural cover for the attacking Germans, making them
highly visible targets against the white background.
The freezing temperatures meant that wounded soldiers rapidly
succumbed to exposure if they couldn't be evacuated quickly,
and the clear visibility allowedMurphy to engage targets at the
(25:33):
maximum effective range of his weapon.
The burned out hull of the tank destroyer remained on that field
for months after the battle, becoming something of a monument
to Murphy's stand. Local French civilians returning
to their homes after the fighting moved eastward.
We're told the story by Americantroops.
A local legend developed around the blackened vehicle, with some
(25:56):
claiming that on particularly cold nights they could still
hear the ghostly sound of its machine gun firing across the
field. In the larger context of the
Colmar Pocket campaign, Murphy'sactions at Holtz were
represented A crucial defensive stand that helped maintain the
integrity of the American line. Had his company's position been
(26:17):
overrun, the German forces mighthave exploited the breakthrough
to threaten the flank of the entire Third Division.
Instead, the American advance continued and within weeks the
entire Colmar Pocket was eliminated.
The aftermath of such intense combat experience is rarely
discussed in heroic narratives, but Murphy's post war life
(26:39):
reveals the complex legacy of combat trauma.
Returning to the United States as a national hero, Murphy found
himself struggling with what would later be recognized as
Severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD.
He experienced paralyzing nightmares, slept with a loaded
gun under his pillow, and battled alcoholism and gambling
(27:01):
addiction. In his autobiography, To Hell
and Back, Murphy wrote with painful honesty about these
struggles. After the war, they took Army
dogs and rehabilitated them for civilian life, but they turned
soldiers into civilians immediately and let him sink or
swim. Murphy's wife, actress Wanda
(27:21):
Hendricks, later revealed the extent of his night terrors.
He would wake up in the middle of the night, sometimes
screaming, sometimes reaching for a weapon that wasn't there.
Once I found him crouched behindour sofa, convinced that German
soldiers were advancing across our living room.
Their marriage eventually collapsed under the strain of
(27:41):
his undiagnosed PTSD. The nightmares often replayed.
Specific combat experiences withhis standard holds were
featuring prominently. Murphy would awaken, convinced
he was still atop that burning tank destroyer, surrounded by
German troops. These episodes became so severe
that he eventually began using sleeping pills, creating a
(28:05):
dependency that further complicated his recovery.
Yet despite these challenges, Murphy built a successful career
in Hollywood. Ironically, his first screen
test resulted in rejection because the producer thought he
looked too boyish and unmilitary.
Eventually, his wartime fame opened doors and he appeared in
(28:26):
over 40 films between 1948 and 1969, including the 1955 film
adaptation of his own autobiography, in which he
played himself. His most successful films were
westerns, where his natural horsemanship developed during
his Texas childhood and authentic toughness translated
(28:47):
well to the screen. While never considered a great
actor, Murphy brought a genuine quality to his roles that
resonated with audiences, particularly in films like The
Red Badge of Courage to Hell andBack and Night Passage.
Throughout his acting career, Murphy continued to speak
candidly about the psychologicalwounds of war.
(29:09):
Long before PTSD was widely recognized, he advocated for
greater support for returning veterans.
In a 1961 interview, he observedthe real heroes of the war are
those who never came home. For the rest of us, the battle
continues in different ways. This advocacy represented a form
(29:30):
of moral courage is significant in its way as his physical
courage it holds where at a timewhen combat trauma was often
dismissed as weakness or cowardice, Murphy used his
celebrity status to bring attention to the invisible
wounds carried by many veterans.His willingness to discuss his
own struggles helped reduce the stigma associated with Combat
(29:51):
Stress and encouraged other veterans to seek help.
Murphy's post war financial difficulties reflected another
common challenge faced by returning veterans.
Despite his film career and publishing success, Murphy
experienced significant financial setbacks, particularly
from failed business ventures inhis gambling addiction.
(30:13):
By the late 1960s, his Hollywoodcareer was in decline, and he
faced mounting debts and tax problems.
Despite these personal struggles, Murphy maintained an
abiding connection with the military community.
He remained in the National Guard and later transferred to
the Army Reserve, eventually rising to the rank of major.
(30:35):
He often spoke at veterans events and maintained
correspondence with many of the men who had served under his
command during the war. Murphy's life ended tragically
on May 28th, 1971, when the private plane in which he was
traveling crashed into a mountain near Roanoke, VA.
He was just 46 years old. He was buried with full military
(30:59):
honors at Arlington National Cemetery, his funeral attended
by thousands, including dignitaries, fellow actors, and
combat veterans from multiple wars.
The grave site at Arlington became one of the cemeteries
most visited locations, second only to that of President John F
Kennedy. A simple white headstone marks
(31:20):
the final resting place of America's most decorated
soldier, its modesty seeming appropriate for a man who never
sought glory but simply did whathe believed necessary.
In 1973, the Audio Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital was
established in San Antonio, TX, providing specialized care for
(31:40):
veterans suffering from PTSD andother combat related conditions.
This facility stands as perhaps the most fitting tribute to
Murphy's legacy, not just honoring his extraordinary
battlefield courage, but acknowledging his equally
important advocacy for those suffering from the psychological
wounds of war today. What makes Murphy's story so
(32:03):
compelling is not just the extraordinary moment atop that
burning tank destroyer, but the complex human being behind the
heroism. He was neither the simplistic
war hero of propaganda nor the broken veteran of cynical
revisionism, but something far more nuanced, a man of
extraordinary courage who also carried the profound
psychological costs of combat. Let's return once more to that
(32:26):
January day in 1945 and examine more closely what happened
during Murphy's stand. The psychological aspects of
combat are often overlooked in military histories, but they're
crucial to understanding what makes actions like Murphy so
extraordinary. Combat veterans often speak of
combat flow, a state of hyper focused awareness where training
(32:49):
takes over in fear receipts. Murphy later described his
experience in these terms. I was scared, but more than
that, I was mad. I just kept thinking that those
were my men back there and the Germans were trying to kill
them. This combination of fear, anger,
and protective instinct created a psychological state where the
(33:10):
normally overwhelming fear of death was temporarily suspended.
Murphy wasn't fearless. He was transcending fear through
a combination of training, rage and commitment to his men.
Doctor Charles Figley, a pioneerin the study of combat trauma,
has suggested that Murphy's extraordinary actions represent
an extreme example of what psychologists call peri
(33:33):
traumatic dissociation, a temporary mental state where the
mind separates from the normal fear response to function
effectively in life threatening situations.
This doesn't diminish Murphy's courage, but helps explain how a
human being could function so effectively under such
extraordinary pressure. Murphy's actions at Holtz where
(33:53):
also demonstrate the power of what military theorists call the
moral factor in combat. Faced with overwhelming physical
odds, Murphy's moral determination, his absolute
refusal to abandon his responsibility to his men,
created a force multiplier that transcended the mathematical
calculations of weapons, ammunition and manpower.
(34:16):
This moral factor, difficult to quantify but often decisive in
combat, represents the human dimension of warfare that
technology can never replace. The men who served under
Murphy's command never forgot what he did for them that day,
David Laddie, who survived the battle as one of Murphy's
Rifleman, later recalled. Lieutenant Murphy didn't have to
(34:38):
stay behind. He could have withdrawn with us
and no one would have blamed him.
But that wasn't the kind of officer he was.
He always put us first, and on that day he was willing to die
rather than let us down. How do you ever repay something
like that? Perhaps you can't repay such a
debt, but you can honor it through remembrance.
(35:01):
Each year on the anniversary of the battle, survivors of Company
B and their descendants gather at Murphy's grave in Arlington
to pay their respects. The gathering has grown smaller
as the World War Two generation passes, but the tradition
continues, a testament to the enduring impact of one man's
extraordinary courage. In military academies around the
(35:23):
world, Murphy's standard hold swear is still studied as an
example of the decisive impact individual initiative can have
on the battlefield. Despite the increasingly
technological nature of Modern Warfare, the human element,
courage, leadership, and tactical judgment remains
central to combat effectiveness.Murphy's actions demonstrate
(35:45):
that a single determined individual can sometimes achieve
what sophisticated weapon systems cannot.
The village of Holts, where itself has not forgotten a
modest monument near the site ofMurphy's Stand, bears a simple
inscription in French and English.
Here, Second Lieutenant Audio Murphy of the 15th Infantry
(36:06):
Regiment, Third Infantry Division, on January 26th, 1945,
single handedly delayed a Germanattack, saving his company and
turning defeat into victory. From this field of battle to the
motion picture screen, he alwaysremained a champion of freedom.
Local residents still tell the story, though with each passing
(36:28):
generation it takes on more of the quality of legend than
history. French school children learn
about the young American who stood against hundreds of German
soldiers, the tale now woven into the regional identity
alongside much older stories of Joan of Arc and Charlemagne.
For Americans, Murphy's story resonates because it embodies
(36:49):
values deeply embedded in the national character, individual
initiative, courage against overwhelming odds, and the
potential for greatness. Regardless of humble origins,
his journey from impoverished Texas farm boy to war hero to
Hollywood star seems to validatethe American belief in
meritocracy and social mobility.Yet the full story of Audie
(37:11):
Murphy, including his struggles with PTSD and his advocacy for
veterans, offers a more nuanced perspective than simple heroic
narratives allow. It reminds us that the costs of
war extend far beyond the battlefield, that even the most
extraordinary courage can carry a heavy psychological price, and
that true heroism lies not just in moments of physical bravery
(37:34):
but in the longer struggle to heal and help others heal from
the wounds of war. The burning question that haunts
Murphy's story is what drives a person to such extraordinary
acts of courage? Why did this particular young
man, out of millions who served repeatedly, demonstrate such
remarkable valor? Murphy himself never offered a
(37:55):
satisfactory explanation, typically shrugging off such
questions. But those who knew him well
suggest that his difficult childhood had forged exceptional
resilience. Having survived extreme poverty,
the abandonment by his father and the death of his mother,
Murphy had developed an unusually strong sense of
self-reliance and determination.Others point to his devoted
(38:20):
concern for his fellow soldiers.Murphy's combat heroism almost
always involved protecting others.
The rage he described feeling during his stand at Holswear was
not abstract patriotism, but a very personal determination to
protect the man under his command.
Men. He viewed his family in a way
his broken childhood had never provided.
(38:42):
There's also the matter of his extraordinary natural gifts.
As a soldier, Murphy possessed exceptional marksmanship,
situational awareness, and tactical instinct.
These qualities, combined with asurprisingly analytical mind
that could assess combat situations rapidly, made him
particularly effective in the chaos of battle.
(39:04):
His physical size, initially A barrier to military service, may
have ultimately proved advantageous.
Murphy's small frame presented Areduced target, and he could
move quickly and quietly in wayslarger men could not.
German prisoners captured after encounters with Murphy
frequently expressed surprise atdiscovering their tormentor was
(39:26):
such a physically unimposing figure.
The most compelling explanation may be the simplest.
Murphy was an ordinary person who, when repeatedly tested
under the most extreme circumstances, discovered within
himself extraordinary reserves of courage and determination.
His story reminds us that heroism often emerges not from
(39:46):
fearlessness but from the decision to act decisively
despite fear. In our cynical age, it's
tempting to look for flaws in our heroes, to assume feet of
clay beneath every pedestal. Murphy certainly had his share
of human frailties, his struggles with PTSD, his
gambling problems, his occasional volatility.
(40:09):
But these human weaknesses make his moments of extraordinary
courage more impressive, not less.
His heroism wasn't the product of some bulletproof superhero,
but of a flesh and blood human being choosing valor despite all
too human fear. From humble beginnings in rural
Texas poverty to the pinnacle ofmilitary honor, Audie Murphy's
(40:30):
life traces an ark that seems almost mythical.
Yet the reality, a complex, troubled, extraordinarily brave
young man thrust into history's greatest conflict is far more
interesting than any myth. His legacy lives on not just in
military history books or Hollywood films, but in the
lives touched by his example andadvocacy.
(40:52):
Every veteran receiving treatment for PTSD, every
soldier studying small unit tactics, every American
reflecting on the human dimension of warfare.
All are in some way inheritors of Audie Murphy's complicated,
compelling legacy. Perhaps the final word should go
to Murphy himself, who once reflected.
(41:13):
When I was growing up, there wasalways an older person saying to
me, you'll never amount to anything.
But the truth is we never know what we're capable of until
we're tested. The heroes I knew in the war
weren't trying to be heroes. They were just ordinary men
doing what had to be done, even when they were terrified.
That's all I ever did. In that simple statement lies
(41:36):
perhaps the most important lesson of Murphy's extraordinary
life, that within ordinary people, even the most unlikely
among us, may lie the capacity for extraordinary courage when
the moment demands it. That's all for today.
On WW2 Stories, I'm Steve Matthews, reminding you that
history isn't just about grand strategies and sweeping
(41:58):
movements, but about individual human beings making choices
under the most extreme circumstances.
Until next time, stay curious and keep exploring the past.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.