Audie Murphy, a 5'5" soldier who was initially rejected by the US military for being too short and underweight, went on to become one of the most decorated soldiers in US history. Despite being wounded multiple times, Murphy continued to fight bravely, earning numerous awards and citations, including the Medal of Honor, the US military's highest decoration. After the war, he became a successful Hollywood actor, starring in films about his own combat experiences. He was killed in a plane crash in 1971 at the age of 46 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, where his grave remains one of the most visited.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The German army continued fighting fiercely despite defeat being almost certain in the closing days of World War II.
2. Audie Murphy was an American soldier who served in World War II.
3. Murphy was rejected by the army, navy, and marine corps before being accepted into the army on June 30, 1942, after faking his birth certificate.
4. Murphy was only 16 years old when he enlisted.
5. He earned his marksman badge with rifle and expert badge with bayonet during basic training.
6. Murphy was sent overseas to the Mediterranean theater and served as a platoon messenger in Algeria.
7. He participated in the Allied invasion of Sicily and later in the invasion of southern France.
8. Murphy was wounded by a mortar shell on September 15, 1944.
9. He was promoted to sergeant, then to staff sergeant, and finally to second lieutenant.
10. Murphy earned numerous awards and citations, including the Presidential Unit Citation, Bronze Star with V, Silver Star, and Medal of Honor.
11. He became one of the most highly decorated soldiers in US history.
12. Murphy was wounded in both legs during a battle in the Colmar pocket in January 1945.
13. He single-handedly held off a German counter-attack, killing or wounding 50 Germans and knocking out several German vehicles.
14. Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism on January 26, 1945.
15. He was moved to regimental headquarters to act as an army liaison officer due to his wounds.
16. After the war, Murphy became a successful Hollywood actor, starring in films about his own combat experiences.
17. Murphy was killed in a plane crash on May 28, 1971.
18. He was interred in Arlington National Cemetery, where his grave remains one of the most visited.