SERGEANT AUDIE MURPHY

UPI photo ‘To He ll Au die Leo n Mu r phy was a legend in his own time. A war hero, movie actor, writer of country and western songs, and poet. His biography reads more like fiction than fact. He lived only 46 years, but he made a lasting imprint on American history. Audie was born on a sharecropper’s farm in North Texas on June 20, 1924. As a boy, he chopped cotton for one dollar a day and was noted for his feats of derring-do and his accuracy with a gun. He had only 5 years of schooling and was orphaned at age 16. After being refused enlistment during World War II in both the Marines and Paratroopers for being too small (5’5”) and underweight (110 pounds), he enlisted in the U.S. Army a few days after his 18th birthday. After basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas, and advanced training at Fort George G. Meade, Md., Murphy was sent overseas. He was assigned to the 15th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division where he fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. He earned a battlefield commission for his courage and leadership ability as well as citations and decorations including

Hell a nd eve ry m edal f or va lor that America gives. He was also awarded three French and one Belgian medal. Murphy was the highest decorated Soldier in American history. Discharged from the Army September 21, 1945, Murphy went to Hollywood at the invitation of movie star James Cagney. He remained in California for the rest of his life and was closely associated with the movie industry, both as an actor and a producer. He acted in 44 films, starring in 39 of them. His best known film was “To Hell and Back,” adopted from the best selling book of his war experiences by the same name. Most of his movies were westerns. ... In 1950 Audie joined the 36th Infantry Division, “T-Patchers,” of the Texas National Guard and served with them until 1966. He was a Mason and a Shriner and belonged to several veterans organizations. Murphy was killed in a plane crash on a mountain top near Roanoke, Va., May 28, 1971. Fittingly, his body was recovered two days later on Memorial Day. Audie Murphy could very well be the last American war hero. He was the greatest combat Soldier in the 200 year plus history of the United States. History of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club

The original club was started at Fort Hood, Texas early in 1986. There were several key people at Fort Hood - officer, enlisted, civil service, and a Killeen civilian - who were instrumental in getting this club up and running.

Leading the effort was Lt. Gen. Crosbie Saint, then the III Corps commander; his Command Sergeant Major George L. Horvath; III Corps Awards Clerk Jean Crisp, and Don Moore, a Killeen artist who assisted with designing the logo and club awards.

In 1991, then III Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Pete Taylor and Command Sgt. Maj. Richard B. Cayton expanded the Fort Hood installation club to include all of III Corps. This included Fort Riley, Kan.; Fort Sill, Okla.; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Polk, La.; and Fort Carson, Colo.

In 1993, Cayton was voted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club by the membership and then became the Forces Command Sergeant Major. Soon thereafter, the club became Forces Command, FORSCOM, wide, including the Reserves and National Guard.

In 1994 at a Sergeant Major of the Army conference, the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club spread Army-wide, to all commands with installations retaining the selection process for their own NCOs. In 1998, it was estimated that the club membership was over 3,000 Soldiers and was steadily increasing.

The SAMC Medallion

When a Soldier is inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, they are given the medallion which is approximately 2 inches in diameter. The medallion is suspended by a broad powder-blue ribbon representing the traditional color of the infantry. The medallion is worn around the neck on the outside of the Class A or Dress Blue uniform for official functions such as military balls or Sergeant Audie Murphy Club meetings. The image is a drawing of the front and back view. The actual medallion is silver in color.

TThhee SSAAMCC CCrreesstt

The crest was designed by one of the original organizers of the club and illustrator Don Moore, of Killeen, Texas. The letters SAMC are an abbreviation for the “Sergeant Audie Murphy Club”. The 3 stars separating the letters represent the “Be”, “Know” and “Do” which is at the core of an Army NCO’s professional spirit.The majestic American Bald Eagle is the national bird and our country’s symbol for freedom. The eagle also represents the intent of the SAMC to be nationwide. The laurel represents the individual achievement of the NCO in the club. The lighting bolt represents swift and decisive action taken by the NCO. The sword is a historical reference and is the symbolic tool of the NCO to cut to the heart of the matter and to lead the charge. The U.S. Army staff sergeant stripes represent the highest enlisted rank attained by Audie Murphy. The powder-blue streamers, the color of the infantry, indicate the words of the NCO philosophy: Loyalty, Caring, Discipline, and Professionalism.