The Inspiring Actions of Audie Leon Murphy

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Audie Leon Murphy has earned all available U.S. military combat award for valor possible from the United States Army. He was also decorated by Belgium and France for his service. He serviced in the European Theater of Operations along with the Mediterranean. on January 26, 1945 Murphy earned the medal of honor because of what he had did at the Colmar Pocket near Holtzwihr, France when he was only 19 years old. He received it for his defensive actions against German troops- this shows his selfless service and personal courage. While he was wounded he alone stayed in a burning tank destroyer firing at the Germans- their soldiers and tanks- with a fully automatic machine gun. When he was out of ammo he climbed off the tank and led a successful counterattack after he had refused to let his wounds be treated. Another way he showed his personal courage-an army value. The way I can use his example to inspire me is by doing things even though my first thoughts are “no” or “don’t”. I need to step up my game. Although doing physical training outside of work isn’t something I do often nor is it something I’m completely afraid of I need to step it up. I want to hang with the big boys and by that I mean lift what my body build should be able to life. I am afraid of lifting something to heavy or with the wrong form. To show my personal courage I need to face my fear with just education. Some of the medics wouldn’t mind putting me under their wing and helping me with my form and I would be able to improve in that area of physical training. His actions at Holtzwihr, France also showed duty to the men he fought with. The way I can show this in my character is by doing what I need to do for my job. Officially and unofficially. I... ... middle of paper ... ...d their machine gun so that the barrel would point at him. The barrel got snagged on a limb and shot offset from Staff Sergeant Murphy. Staff Sergeant Murphy lobbed a two hand grenades on their position. The grenades killed four and wounded three. This action earned him a silver star. Days later he took a SCR436 radio and about 46 meters towards where the Germans were while they kept directing firing at him. 200 yards from the Germans location, he relayed firing orders to the artillery on the SCR436 radio he had. He remained in position alone for more than an hour directing his men in what they needed to do to complete the mission. When Staff Sergeant Murphy and his men finally took the kill there was around 15 Germans killed and along with that there was 35 injured. Because of his actions it earned him another Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster for his silver star.

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