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Audie Murphy Middle School |
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Audie Murphy Middle School shortly before opening day.
Photo submitted by Betty Tate.
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On August 15, 2004, Killeen Independent School District, located at Killeen, Texas dedicated a brand new middle school named after Audie Murphy. As far as I know, this is the only school named after Audie Murphy. The Audie Murphy Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 and is actually situated directly on Fort Hood property serving military and civilian children alike. The school's mascot is the Falcon. The school motto includes the words "Respect, Team Spirit, Academics".
Audie Murphy Middle School
Phone: 254-200-6530
Address: 53393 Sun Dance, Ft. Hood, TX 76544
Map: Google Maps
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The school name is an ideal fit for the Fort Hood and surrounding Killeen community for several reasons, some obvious, and some not. Obviously, Fort Hood is the founding location of the popular army institution known as the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. To the casual observer, this seems to be the primary reason of the selection of the school's name. But in truth, Audie was actually personally involved with the community and this fact is often missed. Shortly after the end of World War II, Audie Murphy's brother, Joe, was invited to live in a 4800 acre boy's home near Copperas Cove, Texas known as the Variety Clubs International Boy's Ranch. The ranch structures still exist today and are just barely outside the boundaries of the Killeen Independent School District. Today the ranch has been converted into a set of private apartments. (For those interested, the ranch is on the corner of Ivy Gap Road and Boys Ranch Road along the southwestern perimeter of Fort Hood just inside the Bell County line.)
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Audie Murphy Middle School Mascot |
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Audie Murphy Middle School Mascot: The Falcon
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Originally, the ranch was owned by a consortium of Texas theater owners and at their invitation, Joe Murphy was able to live there. At the recommendation of the theater owners, Audie Murphy successfully auditioned and was cast in his first lead role in the movie BAD BOY. In this film, Audie actually played the role of a trouble youth who lived at the same boys' home. A lot of the filming occurred on the ranch property. This film proved to be Audie Murphy's big break and from this point on, he had little difficulty securing lead roles in many, many films. To read more about this, read this related web page: Audie's Big Break.
In 1999, I actually worked for Killeen Independent School District as a teacher for Rancier Middle School in Killeen. When a new high school was built, I contacted one of the school board member's, Ms. Brenda Coley, whose husband, Command Sergeant Major Lloyd Coley was a fellow soldier and served concurrently with me in Germany and at Fort Hood in the same air defense battalions. Taking advantage of this connection, I explained to Ms. Coley the history of the area, as it related to Audie Murphy and suggested that the high school be named after him. Ms. Coley apologized stating that the high school's name had already been selected but she promised to keep the name in mind and suggest it to the school board when the next school was built. She stated that it would probably be three to four more years before another school was constructed. Ms. Coley apparently remembered her promise and when a new middle school was designed and erected on Fort Hood property, Audie's legacy to the community became permanent. Thank you Ms. Coley!
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Audie Murphy Middle School |
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Another view of Audie Murphy Middle School.
Photo submitted by Betty Tate.
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Download a free educational newsletter on Audie Murphy.
Click on Audie Murphy Research Foundation.
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Last updated 20 August 2006
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