Audie Murphy White Paper (SGM Evans)

Question 1

Of Emmett’s and Josie’s children, what number son was Audie? What number child?

Answer 1

Audie was the third son and seventh child.

Question 2

Who was Audie named after?

Answer 2

A close friend and neighbor.

Question 3

Who was Audie’s eldest sister?

Answer 3

Elizabeth Murphy

Question 4

Who chose Audie’s middle name Leon, literally translating to Lion in Spanish?

Answer 4

Elizabeth, Audie’s eldest sister.

Question 5

As a child and teen, what was Audie referred to as by his friends?

Answer 5

Leon

Question 6

In the Army, what was Audie referred to as by his buddies?

Answer 6

Murph

Question 7

What name was Audie listed by on orders and press releases?

Answer 7

Audie L. Murphy, the name he became famous by.

Question 8

Who were Audie Murphy’s parents?

Answer 8

Emmett and Josie Murphy

Question 9

After the war, what was Audie commonly referred to as?

Answer 9

Audie Murphy

Question 10

What did Audie sign important documents as?

Answer 10

Audie Leon Murphy

Question 11

Audie was a born what? His ability to what was uncanny?

Answer 11

“Hunter”

“To sight, stalk, and shoot game”

Question 12

What characteristics ensured Audie’s survival at the front lines of combat?

Answer 12

Almost perfect eyesight and hearing and the “luck of the Irish.”

Question 13

What did Audie and his brother Charles often do?

Answer 13

Spend the day shooting a snuff can out of each others hands at distances out to fifty feet.

Question 14

Describe Audie’s faith?

Answer 14

Audie’s belief in God was very positive. Although not a member of a particular faith, he did attend Sunday school and worship service most every Sunday before joining the military. During the war, Audie carried a copy of the New Testament with him daily. Furthermore, in 1957 in Dallas, Audie joined the Masonic Order, an ancient and respected fraternal order dedicated to the concepts of Christian living and exemplified by the Golden Rule.

Question 15

As a child, what jobs did Audie perform?

Answer 15

Field hand, grocery store clerk, gas station clerk, and radio repairman.

Question 16

How did Audie become interested in the Army?

Answer 16

Audie’s mother had two brothers who served during WWI and revealed stories to Audie on France and the action they saw.

Question 17

Where was Audie officially sworn in?

Answer 17

Dallas, Texas

Question 18

What did the Army recruiter require before enlisting Audie? Why?

Answer 18

The Army recruiter required a signed affidavit from his sister attesting to his age due to his boyish looks.

Question 19

Where was Audie initially assigned when he arrived in North Africa? Who was the Commander?

Answer 19

Company B, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, under the command of LT W.H. Reeves.

Question 20

What was Audie’s initial position in Company B? Why? How long did he serve in this position?

Answer 20

Platoon Messenger

His size

Until he was promoted to Corporal, 15 July 1943.

Question 21

What vice did Audie initiate in Sicily? How did it affect his life?

Answer 21

He became a compulsive gambler. This vice haunted him for the rest of his life. While the gambler’s instincts contributed to his success and survival in combat, it became a major problem after the war.

Question 22

How did Audie progress from a Platoon Messenger?

Answer 22

He consistently volunteered for patrol duty on a daily basis and occasionally slipped out with one or two weekly. Eventually the Company Commander allowed him to regularly conduct patrols, after continued assistance.

Question 23

What was the name of the first causality Audie saw? What were the first words Audie heard?

Answer 23

Griffin

“Get his ammo, he won’t need it and you will.”

Question 24

What was Audie diagnosed with soon thereafter arriving to Sicily?

Answer 24

Malaria

Question 25

When did Audie shoot best?

Answer 25

When he fired instinctively and upon reflex, rather than aiming with his sights.

Question 26

How many respiratory infections did Audie suffer from during the war?

Answer 26

Three; all of which were influenza.

Question 27

Describe how Audie grew as a combat leader over the course of his campaigns?

Answer 27

Sicily, basic combat skills. Italy, practiced combat skills and polished them. France, perfected combat skills and became the most decorated Soldier in America history.