PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT

AS PRESIDENTS' DAY APPROACHES,

THE MOST DECORATED MILITARY SERVICEMAN

Staten Island, NY -- In an effort to honor the most decorated military service member in the history of our country, Congressman Vito Fossella (R-NY) today urged the United States Postmaster General to issue a commemorative stamp recognizing Medal of Honor recipient Audie Murphy for his unparalleled dedication and commitment to protecting and defending the United States during World War II. A stamp is currently under consideration by the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee.

In a letter to Postmaster General Marvin Runyon, Fossella praised Murphy as a "true American hero" whose deft combat skills, extraordinary bravery and compassion for his fellow soldiers have earned him a place as one of our country's greatest soldiers ever.

"Audie Murphy was one of the bravest and most remarkable soldiers in the history of the United States military," Fossella said. "To keep Audie Murphy's memory alive and his story in the hearts and minds of every American, I am urging the United States Postal Service to issue a stamp in his honor. A stamp will serve as a vivid reminder of Audie Murphy's inspiring feats to protect and defend our country and his fearless actions on the battlefield. During his 24-years in the military, Audie Murphy was honored with every medal of valor, including the prestigious Medal of Honor, yet a commemorative postage stamp has never been issued in his memory."

Fossella is seeking either an individual stamp honoring Murphy or his inclusion in a stamp series of military heros. Fossella noted that while the United States Postal Service regularly issues commemorative stamps honoring actors, musicians, periods of time and even cartoon characters, recent attempts by supports of Murphy to secure a stamp in his honor have been rejected.

Runyon insists that a 1983 stamp honoring all Medal of Honor winners implicitly recognizes Murphy. However, Fossella argued that other Medal of Honor recipients, including Charles Lindbergh, Douglas MacArthur and Dr. Mary Walker, have been recognized with their own stamps. Fossella added that Murphy's successes in other professional fields, such as country music, films and as a cowboy, also make him a viable candidate for inclusion in a commemorative stamp series in those particular areas.

"The Postal Service has issued stamps honoring Bugs Bunny, Tweety Bird and other Looney Tunes characters, but it has resisted efforts to pay tribute to one of America's greatest military heros," Fossella said. "As our country takes further steps in preparation for a possible military strike on Iraq, I am sure our men and women in the Armed Services look to Audie Murphy's legacy for inspiration. It would be a shame for the Postal Service to ignore Audie Murphy's lifetime contribution to our country and his timeless story of bravery and courage by rejecting a stamp honoring his legacy. I cannot think of one valid excuse for the Postal Service to reject this simple request."

AUDIE MURPHY BACKGROUND

Audie Murphy is the most decorated American military service member who ever served in the United States armed forces. Not surprisingly, he was also the most decorated GI of World War II, receiving 33 awards and decorations, including the highest military honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty" -- the Congressional Medal of Honor. Murphy also received 5 decorations by France and Belgium. As the nightcap to his brilliant military career, Murphy transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve, where he held a commission as major, on November 6, 1966.

After the war, Murphy tackled Hollywood in 1950, where he eventually starred in 44 films, earning nearly $3 million as an actor. Murphy also wrote poetry and, as a self-taught musician, wrote and recorded numerous country-western songs. He was inducted into the Country Music Association of Texas Hall of Fame. Murphy was also a successful Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racehorse owner and breeder, and was inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Like many of his fellow soldiers, Murphy suffered from symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTS), also known as "Battle Fatigue." In an effort to help veterans of the Korean and Vietnam Wars, Murphy spoke openly about his difficulties, and soon began lobbying the United States government to study and address the emotional impacts of war and to extend health benefits to veterans to treat this ailment.

Audie Murphy died during a business trip on May 28, 1971, Memorial Day weekend, at the age of 46. His private plane crashed into the side of a mountain during a rain storm.

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