[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 21, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             2nd LIEUTENANT AUDIE MURPHY--TUESDAYS IN TEXAS

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                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2016

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Medal of Honor is the highest 
military honor that can be bestowed on an American. Harry Truman once 
commented that he would prefer to have the blue band of the Medal of 
Honor around his neck than be President. To receive the medal is not to 
win a contest, for the forum in which this medal is given is the 
contest to preserve liberty. It is a contest that no individual 
competitor could win; rather it is struggled for by the diligence, 
bravery, and sacrifice of millions of Americans. Nor is it a contest 
that is ever finished. It is an eternal struggle. Every generation of 
Americans has given of her sons and daughters to contribute to it. That 
is why Medal of Honor recipients are never said to have ``won'' the 
honor, but they have received it from a grateful nation, out of 
recognition of their distinguished contribution to our shared and 
continued fight for freedom.
  Next week, Farmersville, TX, a small town in Hunt County, will 
celebrate the life of one of its sons, who came home the most decorated 
soldier of WWII. Audie Murphy's story of service starts early. When he 
was only 17 years old he had his sister assist him in falsifying his 
birth certificate so that he could meet the minimum age requirement for 
enlisting in the military. Like millions of Americans in the mid 40's, 
Murphy was eager to answer the call of his country.
  Before long Murphy earned the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army 
and was given command of Company B. In France during the early winter 
of 1945, Murphy's company was attacked by 6 German tanks and waves of 
infantry. Murphy ordered his men back into the cover of the woods, 
while he remained forward to give firing directions to artillery by 
telephone. Murphy then climbed into a burning tank and, despite the 
risk that the tank could explode at any moment, he began to use its .50 
caliber machine gun to ward off the enemy. Murphy was alone and exposed 
to enemy fire on three sides. Against all odds, he succeeded in single-
handedly holding the enemy back for an hour.
  The citation that comes with Murphy's Medal of Honor, awarded for his 
actions that day, tells us that despite a gunshot wound to the leg he 
fought until his ammunition was exhausted. He then made his way back to 
his company, refusing medical attention, and organized a counter attack 
that would prove successful and force the Germans to withdraw.
  The contest for freedom is not a sprint. It is a relay that spans 
generations, and the champions of each generation should be honored for 
their service and sacrifice. We owe a debt of gratitude to all of those 
who fight for our freedom, and we honor individuals like 2nd Lt. Audie 
Murphy for their distinguished contribution.
  And that is just the way it is.

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