On January 26, while the 30th Infantry Regiment was resting and recuperating, the 1st Battalion of the 15th Infantry was passing by, heading to the front. Phil asked one of the men if he knew a 2nd Lieutenant named Audie Murphy.[1]

“Coming up behind,” the man said. “He’s a 1st Lieutenant now and is commanding Baker Company.”

When Phil saw his old hospital mate, he yelled out, “Murph!”

“Phil, how the hell are you?”

The two men embraced.

“You look no worse for the wear,” Murph said. “Heard they kicked your asses yesterday. Glad you made it.”

“A lot of guys didn’t. We just softened ’em up for you guys.”

“Win any more medals?”

“Not if I can help it!” Phil replied. The men shared a laugh. “Be careful,  Murph. Break a leg.”

The men hugged. Then Murph took off at a trot to catch up with his men.[2]

~~~~~

 Later that day, just north of Holtzwihr, Murphy’s company was attacked by six tanks and waves of infantry.

Murphy ordered his men to withdraw while he remained at their forward CP and directed artillery fire. He climbed on a burning TD and used its .50-caliber machine gun for an hour to hold his position. 

With Germans getting as close as ten yards, he killed over fifty while receiving a leg wound. He continued the fight until his ammunition was gone and then made his way back to his company.

He refused medical attention and organized the company for an attack that forced the German Infantry and tanks to withdraw. 

For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.[3]

Audie Murphy

~~~~~

[1] Larimore, At First Light, 200.

[2] Larimore, Ibid, 200-201.

[3] Larimore, Ibid, 200.

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