oldier, Audie Murphy, with the actor playing himself. I'd seen this movie years ago and remembered that it was full of action but I knew little about Murphy's real wartime adventures. He is a true American hero and according to sources his grave is the second most visited at Arlington, the most visited being John F. Kennedy.The film was based on the book of the same name and details Murphy's life from childhood to him coming out of the army.
Murphy's height and weight at his enlistment were 5 feet 5.5 inches (166.4 cm) and 110 pounds (50 kg); after his three year enlistment, he was 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) and 145 pounds (66 kg).
Treated solely as a war movie To Hell and Back ticks all the right boxes - stunning action scenes, character comedy a
nd the true cost of war are all depicted with the utmost of care. And Murphy playing himself gives a great performance, perhaps his often haunted look in this picture comes from the fact that he was remembering the actual events. And from the events depicted in this movie, Murphy's war must have truly been hell.Just after noon on May 28, 1971 Murphy was killed when his private plane crashed into Brush Mountain, Virginia.
The document above and below is a copy of an eyewitness statement that resulted in Murphy gaining yet another medal. Click images for larger copy.
