Audie Leon Murphy (June 20, 1926 – May 28, 1971) was an
American soldier in
World War II, who later became an
actor, appearing in 44 American films. He also found success as a
country music composer. In 27 months of combat action in
World War II, Murphy became the most decorated United States combat soldier in United States military history. He received the
Medal of Honor, the U.S. military's highest award for valor, along with 32 additional U.S. medals, five from
France, and one from
Belgium. Murphy had a successful
movie career, including the extremely popular
To Hell and Back (1955), based on his memoir of the same name (1949), and starred in 33
Hollywood Westerns.
