War Hero, Western Star, Great American --
Audie Murphy
America
Remembers is proud to offer this Audie Murphy Tribute Rifle in commemoration
of the distinguished movie career of this unique American hero. Audie Murphy personified the moral value and
selfless valor that Americans admire.
On May 28, 1971, a tragic plane crash
ended the life of a man whose
war-time exploits and western movie roles inspired a generation of
Americans. Audie Murphy played the role of a hero in dozens of Hollywood
westerns, and it was a role that suited him well. He was in fact a genuine
hero, America's most decorated combat soldier of World War II, a man who had
set an unmatched standard for courage and heroism on the horrific
battlefields of World War II.
Unlike most of
his Hollywood leading man counterparts, Audie Murphy had stared death in the
eye on many occasions. Boyish and unassuming despite his incredible military
record, Audie Murphy personified the moral values and selfless valor that
real Americans admire. When genuine heroes and legitimate
role models seem few and far between, we at America Remembers are proud to
offer this Tribute in commemoration of distinguished movie career of this
unique American hero.
Proven In Battle
History
has chronicled Audie Murphy's incredible acts of bravery. His decorations included the Congressional Medal of Honor and
many other acknowledgements. It says much for this man's character that in
his autobiography "To Hell and Back," Audie Murphy never once mentioned
receiving any medals.
A Rising Star
At the end
of World War II, Audie Murphy returned home, a seasoned combat veteran and a
national hero before his 21st birthday. Audie Murphy got his first starring
role in a film called Bad Boy, in which he
played the part of a troubled youth at a Texas Boys Ranch. The movie was a
financial success, and Audie Murphy was very quickly picked up by
Universal-International, who starred him as Billy the Kid in
The Kid From Texas. This was the movie that
established Audie Murphy's reputation as a Hollywood western star and he was
a natural.
Audie Murphy went on to make a total of 44
feature films, including 32 Hollywood westerns. He usually played the good
guy, but was equally convincing in a "black hat" role, such as John Gant,
the cold-blooded hired killer in No Name On The Bullet.
His last movie, the only one in which Audie Murphy also served as producer,
was prophetically entitled A Time For Dying. In
it, Audie played an aging Jesse James.
In many of Audie
Murphy's western movie roles, audiences would see him riding into town with
his trusty rifle cradled in his arm or thrust into a saddle scabbard. It was
as much a part of his everyday gear as his single-action revolver or his
road-brimmed Stetson hat. It seemed only fitting to select this enduring
lever-action classic as the medium for America Remembers' Tribute to this
unforgettable Hollywood legend. The design and issuance of the Tribute has
been officially authorized by the family of Audie Murphy, and we are
indebted to them for their invaluable comments, input, and advice.
Craftsmen commissioned specifically for this Tribute by America Remembers
have embellished the receiver with 24-karat gold artwork capturing Audie
Murphy's career in western films. The handsome blackened patinaed background
adds a dramatic, three-dimensional effect, while the laser-carvings on the
walnut stocks add the perfect touch to this museum-quality masterpiece.
The "Audie Murphy Tribute Rifle" is a sculpted celebration of an
unforgettable western movie legend.
