From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia Audie Leon Murphy June 20 1924 May 28 1971 was a fifth grade dropout from an extremely poor family who became the most decorated American soldier of World War II After the war he became a celebrated movie star for over two decades appearing in 44 films He also found some success as a country music composer Murphy became the most decorated United States soldier of the war during twentyseven months in action in the European Theatre He received the Medal of Honor the US militarys highest award for valor along with 32 additional US and foreign medals and citations including five from France and one from Belgium Murphys successful movie career included To Hell and Back 1955 based on his book of the same title 1949 He died in a plane crash in 1971 and was interred with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery Description above from the Wikipedia article Audie Murphy licensed under CCBYSA full list of contributors on Wikipedia