Audie Leon Murphy rose to national fame as the most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II.

He was a characteristically modest poor kid from Texas who only 5'5" and became the most decorated GI of WWII - serving in 7 different campaigns in Italy and in France.

Audie enlisted at age 18. Among his 33 awards and decorations was the coveted Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest military award for bravery that can be given to any individual in the United States of America, for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty." He also received every decoration for valor that his country had to offer, some of them more than once, including 5 decorations by France and Belgium

Beginning his service as an Army Private, Audie quickly rose to the enlisted rank of Staff Sergeant, was given a "battle field" commission as 2nd Lieutenant, was wounded three times, fought in 9 major campaigns across the European Theater, and survived the war. While on a business trip on May 28, 1971, (Memorial Day Weekend) he was killed at the age of 46. A private plane flying in fog and rain crashed in the side of a mountain near Roanoke, Virginia. Five others including the pilot were also killed. Although Audie owned and flew his own plane earlier in his career at Hollywood, he was among the passengers that tragic day.

On June 7th, Audie Murphy was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. His gravesite, near the Amphitheater, is 2nd most visited gravesite year round. President Kennedy's grave is the most visited

In 1996 the Texas Legislature officially designated his birthday, June 20th, as Audie Murphy Day.