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The first Audie Murphy Day Ceremony in Farmersville, Texas. Amongst local dignitaries, Audie Murphy humbly addressed the hometown crowd. At the
young age of 20, Audie Murphy, was the most decorated combat soldier of WWII.
June 15,1945
16 Million Americans served in uniform in World War II.
Farmersville Heritage Museum
107 Farmersville Parkway
Farmersville, Texas 75442
Excerpts below from Audie Murphy Exhibit at the museum.
A HERO RETURNS HOME
Audie Murphy served on the war-front in Africa and Europe, enduring 9 campaigns through 5 countries.
For Murphy’s selfless bravery and courage at Colmar Pocket, Holtzwihr, France, Murphy received the
Medal of Honor. This young man from a rural area in Texas was now a nation’s hero and would
ultimately receive 32 other medals for his service, becoming the most decorated combat soldier of WWII.
A few days after receiving the Medal of Honor, Texas’ favorite son landed in San Antonio, Texas on June 13th.
Murphy was anxious to reunite with the family he had reluctantly left behind in Farmersville.
Farmersville Mayor, R.B. Beaver made plans for a homecoming celebration that guaranteed “Audie would get the biggest reception that any Farmersville boy had ever got, whether he liked it or not.” The entire town of Farmersville and the surrounding area prepared for an extraordinary homecoming.
On June 14th, Mayor Beaver led the twenty-car parade delegation from McKinney. Audie Murphy arrived in Farmersville behind a McKinney fire truck with sirens blaring. He arrived covered in ribbons to a cheering crowd.
Friday, June 15, 1945 was declared Audie Murphy Day in Farmersville, Texas.
An estimated crowd over twenty-five hundred and possibly up to five thousand Texans lined the streets and surrounded the stage set in downtown Farmersville to celebrate the local boy turned American Hero.
Amongst local dignitaries, Audie Murphy humbly addressed the hometown crowd.
Life magazine documented Murphy’s special homecoming, published in July 1945. Life’s coverage launched Audie Murphy on the National scene and provided him the opportunity to embark on the movie career that would follow.
Life magazine said in a cover story that “Audie Murphy was the greatest thing
that ever happened to Farmersville.”
Audie Leon Murphy's legacy of service and excellence continues, imbued in the hearts of many who serve our great nation. In Murphy's namesake and example of service and valor, the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club was established the1986, ultimately becoming army-wide in 1994. SAMC is a private U.S. Army organization for enlisted non-commissioned officers (NCO) only. It is estimated that the top two-percent of the U.S. Army have received the reward of membership, serving their country and community in excellence around the world.
The club's motto: "You lead from the front" - Audie Murphy
Sister Cities - Farmersville, Texas and Holtzwihr, France
Audie Murphy received the Medal of Honor for valor that he demonstrated for single-handedly holding off a company of German soldiers for an hour at the Colmar Pocket near Holtzwihr, France in January 1945.
On May 8, 2021, Farmersville, Texas and Holtzwihr, France became Sister Cities sharing Audie Leon Murphy as the bond between them and in recognition of all those who served in WWII.
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Mayor Bryon Wiebold and Historian Henry Bodden sign the friendship pact simultaneously with Mayor Christian Durr and Historian Patrick Baumann in Holtzwihr, France via the internet.
Back Row: Fort Hood Sergeant Audie Murphy Club Members and
Councilman Mike Henry.
May 8, 2021
Learn More at Farmersville Heritage Museum.