Audie Murphy- Remembering a true war hero (pictures)

If you thought the opening scene from Saving Private Ryan where Tom Hanks leads his men into battle off the shores of Omaha Beach was intense, then you've obviously never heard of Lieutenant Audie Murphy.

According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society website, Murphy was a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War II. Most notable were his courageous actions when he and his men were attacked by six German tanks and multiple infantries.

Picture this madness: The tanks are closing in and there is gunfire spewing from all directions as Murphy yells orders over the tumult of battle for his men to withdraw into the woods. Does he follow suit? Heck no! Murphy stays behind, the taste of triumph already prickling his tongue. He continues to give orders to his artillery team, killing large numbers of approaching Germans, when behind him a U.S. tank destroyer is hit and engulfed in flames. The crew from the tank destroyer retreat to the woods, joining the rest of Murphy's men. They watch on as Murphy does the unthinkable. With a rage fueled only by a man of war's understanding, Murphy climbs atop the burning destroyer and uses its .50 caliber machine gun to spray the pressing wave of German aggressors. Amazingly, the enemy begins to loose infantry support and many of them fall back. Murphy fights on until his ammunition is bare. It's then that he returns to his company, organizes a heck of a counterattack and ultimately forces the Germans to withdraw completely.

Talk about an epic battle scene!

Audie Leon Murphy served in uniform for almost ten years and is the most decorated soldier in our history earning every medal for valor that America had to offer, plus a handful of medals from France and Belgium. The Texas native, born in 1924, died at the ripe age of 46 on May 28th 1971 after a fatal plane crash in Virginia. He is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery and his gravesite is among one of the most visited, second to President JFK.

Please take a moment today to remember his efforts and be thankful for every one of our troops!