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Audie's Birthplace US Highway 69
Near Kingston, Texas |
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Photo By
Jim Foy |
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Birthplace Of
AUDIE MURPHY
Most Decorated Soldier In World War II. Born June 20, 1924 To Emmett and Josie K. Murphy 400 yards east on the W.F. Boles farm. Enlisted in the army on his 18th birthday while working in Greenville. He was awarded 24 citations for bravery in action including Congressional Medal of Honor and French Legion of Honor, Chevalier. After the war, he became a successful actor, with his most prominent role portraying himself in the war film, "To Hell and Back". Died may 28, 1971 in a Virginia plane crash and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
(1973)
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The photo on the left is a 1973 photograph of the home Audie Murphy was born in
which was abandoned and in a state of decay at the time the picture was taken.
The house has since been demolished. The home was located
about 400 yards away from the highway marker.
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Audie Murphy's Home and Birth Place
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From the Collections of the
American Cotton Museum,
Frances Arnold Ellis Local History Gallery,
Audie L. Murphy Hunt County Veterans' Exhibit
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Celeste Memorial On US Highway 69,
Celeste, Texas |
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Photo By
Jim Foy |
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There are other highway markers scattered across Hunt County, Texas which
memorialize Audie Murphy. To get to the marker above, take
exit 94b on Interstate 30 at Greenville and drive into the city. At
the junction of US 69, drive north on US 69 towards Kingston, Texas. About 5
or 6 miles up the road, the marker will be located on the right hand side of
the highway. Although other highway markers nearby have "Historical Marker
Ahead" signs posted, this one does not and it's easy to miss.
The Celeste highway marker is also located on US 69 about 4 miles past the
marker Kingston marker. The Celeste Marker is probably the most beautiful
marker dedicated to Audie Murphy (other photo below) and is illuminated at
night. It is painstakingly tended by Mr. Curly Combs and Mrs. Audrey Combs of Celeste, Texas who
lives nearby and enjoys watching from their kitchen window the many visitors and
children that stop to read the roadside marker.
To see this marker, take the same directions listed above from Interstate 30.
Go beyond the Kingston marker by about 4 miles into the town of Celeste.
The marker is on the left side of the road as you drive north.
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Celeste, Texas Marker On Memorial Day, 1998 |
Celeste Highway Marker Inscription:
Most decorated soldier in World War II. Born 4.5 miles south, June 20, 1924, sixth of nine children of tennant farmers Emmett and Josie Killian Murphy. Living on various farms, Audie Murphy went to school through the 8th grade in Celeste - considered the family's hometown. He had to quit school to help support the family, acquiring marksmanship skills by hunting to provide food. On his 18th birthday, after being rejected by the marines because of his size (5 feet, 7 inches; 130 pounds), he enlisted in the army while working in Greenville.
For unusual courage and bravery, he received 24 decorations including the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor, the French Legion of Honor Chevalier, the Distinguished Service Cross, and the Silver Star.
After the war he became a successful actor, his most prominent role portraying himself in the film "To Hell and Back", his war career autobiography.
Following his untimely death in a plane crash in Virginia, May 28, 1971, and burial in Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S. Congress paid him a final tribute dedicating a new veteran's memorial hospital in San Antonio to the memory of the American hero.
Survived by widow Pamela, sons Terry and James.
(1973)
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Mr. Mrs. Curly Combs
Celeste, Texas |
Highway Marker
Caretakers
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I would like to a extend my grateful appreciation to
Jim Foy,
Audrey and Curly Combs, and the
American
Cotton Museum for providing the information and photos that appear on this page.
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