Pamela Archer Murphy, the second wife of the iconic war hero and actor Audie Murphy, was a true example of strength and resilience. Born in Los Angeles in 1920, she grew up in a working-class family with nine siblings. After her first husband’s death in 1949, Pamela moved into a small apartment and got a job at the Sepulveda Veterans Administration Hospital as a clerk. She worked there for 35 years until her retirement.
In 1949, Pamela met Audie Murphy, who had recently achieved fame as an American combat soldier and actor. The two were married that same year but the union didn’t last long; by 1950 they had already announced their plans to divorce. In 1951, Pamela married Audie for the second time and together they welcomed two children into their family.
When Audie passed away in 1971 from natural causes at just 45 years old, his legacy lived on through Pamela who chose to honor his memory by sharing his story with others. She became an advocate for veterans’ affairs and also founded the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Foundation which is dedicated to helping veterans and their families in need.
Pamela was also generous with her time; she often spoke at schools and other events about her husband’s life, his heroism during World War II, and what it was like to be married to such an iconic figure. Her commitment to keeping Audie’s memory alive has ensured that he will not be forgotten by future generations of Americans who can learn from his heroic actions on the battlefield and off it.
The Fate of Audie Murphy’s Wife
Audie Murphy’s wife, Pamela Murphy, was widowed at a young age after her husband’s death. In order to support herself and her children, she moved into a small apartment in Los Angeles and took a clerk position at the Sepulveda Veterans Administration Hospital, where she stayed employed for 35 years. During that time, Pamela raised her children and provided for them with the help of fellow veterans from the hospital. She was admired by many for her strength and resilience in the face of adversity, and she continues to be remembered as an inspiration to this day.
Audie Murphy’s Marriages
Audie Murphy married twice in his lifetime. He married actress Wanda Hendrix in 1949, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1950. In 1951, he married Pamela Archer and had two children with her.
Are Any of Audie Murphy’s Descendants Still Alive?
Yes, Audie Murphy’s only surviving sibling, Nadine Murphy Lokey, is still alive at the age of 82. She has expressed her disappointment that her brother’s legacy and accomplishments are not given more attention in history books.
Audie Murphy’s Net Worth at the Time of His Death
At the time of his death in 1971, Audie Murphy had a net worth of $300 thousand. Murphy was an American combat soldier and actor who becme one of the most decorated soldiers in World War II. He earned every U.S. military combat award available during his service and received the Medal of Honor for his bravery at the Battle of Colmar Pocket in 1945. Following WWII, he transitioned to acting and had a successful Hollywood career appearing in 44 feature films as well as various television shows throughout the 1950s and 1960s. His popular films included “To Hell and Back” (1955), “The Red Badge of Courage” (1951), “No Name on the Bullet” (1959) and “The Unforgiven” (1960). He also wrote several books, including his autobiography titled To Hell and Back in 1949. At the time of his death at age 45, Audie Murphy had accrued a substantial fortune that amounted to $300 thousand.
The Psychological Impact of Audie Murphy’s Experiences
Audie Murphy suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, a mental health condition caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms of the disorder include headaches, depression, nightmares, difficulty sleeping and intrusive thoughts. Murphy often said that he could only sleep with a loaded gun under his pillow. At the age of 46, he tragically died in a plane crash near Roanoke, Virginia in 1971.
Source: thisdayinaviation.com
Pamela Murphy’s Burial Location
Pamela Opal Lee Murphy is buried in Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles. Her grave is located in lot 2793, space 1 of the Enduring Faith section. This cemetery is over 2,600 miles away from where she was knon and celebrated as a face of Veterans Day by many local fighting men. Here she can rest peacefully amongst other heroes who have served their country honorably.
Audie Murphy’s Weight
Audie Murphy weighed approximately 100 pounds (45 kg). He was only five and a half feet tall (1.66 meters), which is why he was turned down when he attempted to join the various branches of the U.S. military following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor due to his young age and diminutive stature.
The Most Decorated Veteran of All Time
The most decorated veteran of all time is Audie Murphy, who served in the United States Army during World War II. Born in Texas in 1924, Murphy enlisted in the Army at age 17 and quickly rose to fame for his bravery on the battlefield. He was awarded 24 medals during his service, including the Medal of Honor, which is the highest military decoration that can be awarded. His bravery and accomplishments earned him international recognition, with many books and films bing made about him. His most famous film was To Hell and Back (USA, 1956), a biographical film about his life starring himself. Murphy passed away in 1971 at age 46 due to a plane crash. He will always be remembered as an American hero and one of the most decorated veterans of all time.
Audie Murphy’s Tank Destruction Count
Audie Murphy is credited with destroying six Panzer tanks during a single battle in World War II. During the engagement, he was manning an M10 Gun, Motor Carriage Tank Destroyer, a United States-made vehicle nicknamed “Wolverine” that was capable of reaching speeds of up to 25 miles per hour on roads. Despite sustaining three direct hits from eiher enemy tanks or artillery, Murphy managed to successfully destroy all six Panzers and turn them back.
Audie Murphy’s Best Friend
Audie Murphy’s best friend during World War II was a man named PFC Lattie Tipton, also known as “Brandon” in the book and film. Tipton was with Murphy throughout the war, sharing in his experiences and supporting him through difficult times. Unfortunately, Tipton was killed in action on August 15, 1944 in Southern France. Murphy had a difficult time playing the scene depicting his friend’s death.
The Temperament of Audie Murphy
Yes, Audie Murphy had a very volatile temper. He was known to be violent and belligerent in bar fights, often causing such severe injuries to his opponent that he was almost charged with attempted murder. On the set of his 1958 film The Gun Runners, director Don Siegel reported that Murphy frequently carried a gun, making many of the cast and crew feel intimidated by him.
Has Anyone Ever Been Awarded Three Medals of Honor?
No one has ever been awarded three Medals of Honor. In fact, the Medal of Honor is the highest and most prestigious military decoration awarded by the United States government and is bestowed “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.” As such, it is extremely rare for anyone to be awarded more than one Medal of Honor.
The closest anyone has ever come to receiving three Medals of Honor was Army Sergeant First Class Alwyn C. Cashe, who was posthumously awarded two Medals of Honor for his actions during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005. After being severely burned while rescuing wounded soldiers from a burning Bradley Fighting Vehicle, he refused medical aid until all other wounded were treated first. He passed away six days later due to complications from his injuries. President Barack Obama presented his family with both awards in 2014.
The only other person to receive two Medals of Honor was Captain Tibor “Ted” Rubin, a Hungarian-born Holocaust survivor who served in the Korean War. He received two awards for heroism during combat operations near Chup’a-ri, South Korea on October 30, 1950, and January 21-22, 1951. President George W. Bush presented him with both awards at a White House ceremony in 2005.
Conclusion
Pamela Murphy was a brave and determined woman who had a long and successful career at the VA Hospital in Los Angeles. She was married to the famous actor and war hero Audie Murphy for two years in the late 1940s, though their marriage apeared rocky from the start. After his death in 1971, she remained dedicated to honoring his legacy and ensuring that he would be remembered. Pamela Archer, Audie’s second wife, also shared her life with him for two decades and together they raised two children. Despite her short-lived marriage to Audie Murphy, Pamela Murphy demonstrated courage, resilience and dedication throughout her life.
