To Hell and Back
1955
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Apr 3, 2014 · In June 1945, Murphy returned home from Europe a hero and was greeted with parades and elaborate banquets. LIFE magazine honored the brave, baby-faced soldier by putting him on the cover of its...
Murphy received the Medal of Honor for valor that he demonstrated at age 19 for single-handedly holding off a company of German soldiers for an hour at the Colmar Pocket in France in January 1945, before leading a successful counterattack while wounded and out of ammunition.
Jan 23, 2015 · The 19-year-old U.S. soldier personally killed or wounded some 50 German troops, earning the Medal of Honor for one of WWII's most astonishing battlefield actions.
In September 1945, Murphy was released from active duty, promoted to 1st Lieutenant, and assigned to inactive status. His story caught the interest of superstar James Cagney, who invited Murphy to Hollywood.
Jun 16, 2024 · In 1945 he received the Congressional Medal of Honor. On the strength of his heroic status, he became a movie actor after the war, starring in films such as The Red Badge of Courage (1951), To Hell and Back (1955), and The Quiet American (1958).
In 1945, Murphy became part of one of the most important counter-attacks, leading to the capture of Colmar Pocket. He was once again lauded and promoted to first lieutenant the same year, after which he was made a Liaison officer and was called back to the headquarters from the war front.
On April 23, 1945, at the age of only 19, Audie Murphy received the Medal of Honor for his actions. It was not the first time Murphy had distinguished himself. He had received many awards for valor, including the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Star medals, and two Bronze Star medals.
Aug 28, 2021 · On a cold January afternoon in 1945, Second Lieutenant Audie Murphy watched with mounting alarm as over 200 German troops emerged from the woods. But instead of succumbing to panic, the 19-year-old Murphy jumped on a burning tank — and began spraying bullets at his enemies.
Murphy fought in North Africa and Sicily, and in the Allied amphibious landings at Anzio, Italy and later southern France. The pivotal moment that transformed Audie Murphy into legend came on Jan. 26, 1945, near Holtzwihr, France, where he commanded Company B, 15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division.
