Second Lieutenant Audie L. Murphy, 01692509, 15th Infantry, Army of the United States, on 26 January 1945, near Holtzwihr, France, commanded Company B, which was attacked by six tanks and waves of infantry. Lieutenant Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to a prepared position in a woods while he remained forward at his command post and continued to give fire directions to the artillery by telephone. Behind him to his right one of our tank destroyers received a direct hit and began to burn. It's crew withdrew to the woods. Lieutenant Murphy continued to direct artillery fire which killed large numbers of the advancing enemy infantry. With the enemy tanks abreast of his position, Lieutenant Murphy climbed on the burning tank destroyer which was in danger of blowing up any instant and employed its .50 caliber machine gun against the enemy. He was alone and exposed to the German fire from three sides, but his deadly fire killed dozens of Germans and caused their infantry attack to waver. the enemy tanks, losing infantry support, began to fall back. For an hour the Germans tried every available weapon to eliminated Lieutenant Murphy, but he continued to hold his position and wiped out a squad which was trying to creep up unnoticed on his right flank. Germans reached as close as 10 yards only to be mowed down by his fire. He received a leg wound but ignored it and continued the single-handed fight until his ammunition was exhausted. He then made his way to his company, refused medical attention, and organized the company in a counterattack which forced the Germans to withdraw. His directing of artillery fire wiped out many of the enemy; he personally killed or wounded about 50. Lieutenant Murphy's indomitable courage and his refusal to give an inch of ground saved his company from possible encirclement and destruction and enabled it to hold the woods which had been the enemy's objective.

This no doubt has to be the ditch Audie talks about in his book and other commentary where he killed a bunch of Germans trying to get to him.

My hair would have been standing up. My understanding is most of the tank debris, including some of the phone wire he used, is still at the spot the tank actually got stuck. From what I have also read, the actual spot has a planted grove of trees that alters the view AM would have had, looking towards Holtzwihr and the approaching German force.

It's already quite a bit grown up around the area where it used to be more open. I walked all around looking for the tank destroyer remnants that had been there in the 90s but I believe it had been moved. May try to go again sometime in the winter when I have time and am in Europe on business. Leaves and bugs should be gone in the winter.

A lot of history in those pics.

Drove past Kingston today. Looked at one of the Audie Murphy historical markers...

Did you read that one report I sent you or posted? Been some time, but that fella gives some good hints and photos to help locate it. iirc he said it was not where it appeared obvious though.

Wouldn't matter to most , but for me to stand within feet of where that amount of heroism happened, would be an honor.

You bet I did and it was you that gave me idea of being able to include it during the visit. Thanks!

I'm glad you got to "swing by", next visit, see if you can liberate a couple of the .50 cases, I'd love to have one that was used that day by Murphy!!

That is very neat. I love reading about those things. Thank you very sharing. We should shake the hand of a veteran every time we see one and thank them for their service.

You are a lucky man to stand where so many fought and died. Amazing pictures and stories.

Awesome!

one of our neighbor's served with A.M., said he was exactly how he portrayed himself in movies.

The story is simply amazing. He really was a true hero. Never did care too much for his acting but you cant dispute his heroism!

Pride of Greenville!

A true hero to the whole world.

Here is a link to Some of Audie's military photos. many other good photos, bio and general info on the other pages
(Scroll down)
http://www.audiemurphy.com/photo_mil.htm