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WHEREAS, Audie Leon Murphy was born on June 24, 1924, in Kingston, Hunt County, Texas, to Emmett and Josie Killian Murphy.

WHEREAS, Audie Leon Murphy enlisted to enter the United States Army in Greenville, Texas and was subsequently assigned to the United States Army 3rd Armored Division1, and participated in seven campaigns in North Africa and Europe; and

WHEREAS, Audie Murphy was awarded numerous United States and foreign decorations, including the Medal of Honor, the Legion of Merit, and the French Croix de Guerre, and he was subsequently the most decorated combat soldier of World War II; and

WHEREAS, Audie Leon Murphy, after his home state offered him numerous honors and accolades, went to Hollywood and starred in numerous motion pictures, including To Hell and Back based on his autobiography of the same name; and

WHEREAS, Audie Leon Murphy died in a 1971 plane crash and was honored with burial in Arlington National Cemetery; and

WHEREAS, The United States Congress, the United States Armed Forces, and various states around the nation have paid and continue to pay tribute to this most decorated soldier; and

WHEREAS, Over 60,000 signatures have been collected to petition the United States Postal Service to place Audie Murphy on a United States postage stamp; now therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 76th Legislature, hereby proclaim April 10, 1999, as Audie Murphy Day in Greenville, Celeste, and all of Hunt County, Texas, and throughout the State of Texas and urge all Texans and all Americans to honor Audie L. Murphy, the Diamond Jubilee (75th anniversary) of his birth, and the contributions of veterans of all branches of the armed services for their contributions in keeping our nation free from oppression.

1Audie Murphy was actually a member of the 3rd Infantry Division and not the 3rd Armored Division.