OT - ON THE 4TH FIELDS OF STONE pic heavy

The "Medal of Honor" seems almost an afterthought on his marker, so let's remember what Audie Murphy did for those few grooves in his headstone:

2d Lt. Murphy commanded Company B, which was attacked by 6 tanks and waves of infantry. 2d Lt. Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to prepared positions 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, 1 of our tank destroyers received a direct hit and began to burn. Its crew withdrew to the woods. 2d Lt. Murphy continued to direct artillery fire which killed large numbers of the advancing enemy infantry. With the enemy tanks abreast of his position, 2d Lt. Murphy climbed on the burning tank destroyer, which was in danger of blowing up at any moment, and employed its .50 caliber machinegun against the enemy. He was alone and exposed to German fire from 3 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 eliminate 2d Lt. 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 killed or wounded about 50. 2d Lt. 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.

Read, and feel humble.

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"hope you all enjoyed this little tour.. . and everyone has a great happy peaceful safe 4th of july"

In the late 60's I was young and just graduated from basic training. I was stationed in VA for AIT. I remember visiting the Arlington Cemetery and the pride and humility I felt being there.

Max, thanks for the great post and thoughts.

Thanks for all the soldiers and families, dead and living for allowing this great day, we all owe a lot.

Kent

I have nothing to add to the great comments but it is necessary to add my thanks for this timely tribute. Somehow it seems much more personal coming from a new friend than reading another story in the newspaper.

THANK YOU

It is so hard to read that and see the pictures and not have a reaction. when you think about what that all stands for and most of all the families it touches. many of us have family there.... Every year I always cry watching the trucks go by the shop headed for there. It is a local company that does a fresh evergreen wreath for every stone there. the 18 wheelers all have a special decal saying what they are doing and there is police escort in every town as they pass though. It takes a while for all the vehicles to go by. we stand out and wave and they all honk their horns and we bawl.... beautiful but bitter sweet.