Being in the U.S. Army
After the Japanese attack on pearl harbor in 1941, Audie Murphy tried to enlist in the Marines, and the Navy in order to support his siblings who were in jeopardy of being taken by the state and put into orphanages and foster homes. Unfortunately he was told that he was to young and too small to go to war but on his 18th birthday his luck changed. Audie was enlisted in the United States army and assigned to the 15th regiment of the 3rd infantry division in June of 1942. Among his comrades, he was nicknamed baby for his youthful looks and small build although that did not phase him.
• Spring of 1943 he was sent to North Africa as a replacement for another regiment in the 3rd infantry
• First to see action in July of 1943 in Sicily, promoted to corporal
• In the 5th army front line until mid November of 1943
• Arrived in Rome in June of 1944, promoted to sergeant
• Advanced to 2nd Lietanant in October of 1944 in Southern France
• Close friend killed, Audie attacked the gun crew out of rage from the rear and killed them all
• Shot in the hip became gangrenous
• Gained battlefield commission in October of 1944
On January 26, 1945 in France, while under heavy German attack, Audie ordered his unit to withdrawal while he stayed surrounded by the German soldiers on three sides. He engaged in close combat in a damaged American tank and singlehandedly fought of 250 men and six tanks and forced enemy retreat, while being severely wounded by exploding parts.
Sources
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/audielmu.htm
http://www.medalofhonor.com/AudieMurphy_GenAlexanderPatch.jpg
