Events Take Place in Farmersville and Greenville for the War Hero and Hollywood Legend
Audie Murphy was the most decorated combat soldier of World War II, earning the Medal of Honor at just 19 years old. After the war, he starred in Hollywood movies.
He was born June 20, 1925, in the tiny Kingston community located 10 miles north of Greenville on U.S. Highway 69 in Hunt County. He grew up in Farmersville, Greenville, and Celeste.
Murphy died in a plane crash on May 28, 1971. He was buried with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. In attendance were Ambassador to the U.N. George H. W. Bush, Army Chief of Staff William Westmoreland, and many of the 3rd Infantry Division. A special flagstone walkway was constructed eventually to accommodate the large number of people who visit to pay their respects. It is the cemetery’s second most-visited gravesite, after that of President John F. Kennedy.
On June 21 activities are taking place in both Greenville and Farmersville to celebrate Murphy’s 100 Birthday.
Farmersville’s Audie Murphy Day activities start the day before with visits to the Farmersville Heritage Museum and a viewing of a French documentary, Audie Murphy: From Colmar to Hollywood. Saturday morning features a parade and other activities that include more than 200 veterans, a brass band, and representatives from the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. Guests are invited to see the Audie Murphy exhibition at the museum which includes the July 1945 of Life Magazine featuring Murphy on the cover and an entire spread of his homecoming from the war in Farmersville that year. Get details on www.AudieMurphyDay.org.
Events for Audie Murphy’s 100th Birthday in Greenville take place on the evening of June 21. A Murphy tribute performer, Duffy Hudson, does a 45 minute show and refreshments are available.
Also, taking place in Greenville to honor Audie Murphy and other military heroes, the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum in Greenville is holding their annual Audie Murphy Day on May 17. Featured speakers include Seth Paridon, host of the popular podcast The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War, Terrance Furgerson, author of The Dallas Story: The North American Aviation Plant and the Industrial Mobilization during WWII, and a zoom Q&A with actor Kent McCord, who knew Audie Murphy and is best known for his role in Adam-12. Some events take place at the
Saturday morning’s events will be held at the Fletcher Warren Civic Center, 5501 Business Hwy 69 South and others are at the museum located at 600 Interstate Highway 30 with a small admission fee.
In addition, the bestselling movie Ride Clear of Diablo starring Murphy will be shown at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Texan Theater on Friday, May 16.
Contact the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum at (903) 450-4502 or visit the website at www.amacmuseum.com for additional information on both events. For overnight lodging, restaurants, and more things to do go to www.TravelGreenvilleTX.com.
Of other note on Audie Murphy, the National Medal of Honor Museum recently opened to the public in Arlington preserving and sharing the stories of war heroes and personal items including journals, telegrams, knives, uniforms, and trinkets. At the entry into the museum’s main space, is an area dedicated their most decorated recipient, Audie Murphy.
