Lieutenant Murphy is evacuated to an Army field hospital with a gunshot
wound to his hip. Although the bullet has travelled cleanly through the
hip, doctors are unable to attend to the wound for several days and gangrene
infects the wound forcing doctors to remove a large portion of flesh. Later,
when the wound heals, Audie will have no trouble walking. Unfortunately, his
disfigurement is serious enough to prevent him from attending West Point. He
is awarded his 3rd Purple Heart.
In this scene, a friend from the company, played by Jack Kelly, visits
Lieutenant Murphy and kids him about the exit location of his gunshot wound.
He also reminds Lieutenant Murphy that this is probably the "million dollar
wound" which will be his ticket home. A nurse threatens Kelly with a
sedative if he doesn't depart the normally quiet hospital so patients can
rest.
Historical Note: Lieutenant Murphy's wound to the hip occurred before the
Colmar Pocket Battle and was not a "million dollar wound". Lieutenant
Murphy's wound healed sufficiently for him to actually return to his unit
before the battle even took place.
|
