This book was released in 1949 and was one of the first to provide
an accurate account of combat in an infantry unit in World War II. Murphy does not
spare the grime, hunger, thirst, and total exhaustion as his unit struggled to
destroy the German army in close quarter battles. The author earned a battlefield
commission to lieutenant and participated in campaigns in Sicily, Italy, and
southern France and Germany. The book also relates the raw language and humor
of the grunts and the grief felt when close comrades lost their lives. In spite
of the losses, Murphy never lost confidence in victory and pledged to move on with
life at the war’s end. Although a movie star at the time this was written, he never mentions the twenty one decorations, including
the Medal of Honor, he was awarded. Audie
Murphy is buried near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National
Cemetery.
