Actually, I believe that the only time Murphy served under Patton was in Sicily, while he was still an inexperienced corporal, with surprising potential, but not likely to be noticed by the higher-up brass. Murphy was in the 3rd Division, which was assigned to Patton's 7th Army at that time. But by the landing at Salarno, on the Italian mainland, the 3rd Division was a part of the 5th Army under Mark Clark. When the 3rd landed in southern France, again with the 7th, that army was being led by Alexander Patch. It was Patch who presented Murphy with his MOH. Charles Whiting has written an excellent book of the 7th Army,
America's Forgotten Army. I, personally, was not impressed with Whiting's book on Murphy, but this study of the 7th is much better.
There is, however, an interesting story involving Murphy and Mark Clark. I included it in my book:
Quote:
Nick Clooney related that in his autobiography, Here's Johnny, de Cordova recalled an incident that occurred on the set of ?Column South.? As part of a publicity gimmick, General Mark Clark visited the movie set, only to be put down by Murphy for not remembering that even Generals salute Medal of Honor winners. When de Cordova asked Murphy why he did it, Murphy replied, ?Too many men who didn't have to died at Anzio." What de Cordova may not have been aware of was that Murphy had just returned from Summer Camp with the 36th Division. The 36th's memories of Clark were hardly pleasant. In fact, shortly after the war ended, the division brought Clark up on charges that he had unnecessarily sacrificed the lives of many T-Patcher's at San Pietro. The general was officially cleared of the charge, but his reputation for putting his own publicity ahead of the safety of his troops had lingered. It may be that Murphy behaved so uncharacteristically because he thought that the incident might give tacit approval to Clark's actions, and resented being used.
Ann
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"He endured the shame of being sent home a living trophy to the blood and death of too many friends"
A Myth in Action: The Heroic Life of Audie Murphyhttp://www.annjoiner.com
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