I watch a lot of GRIT TV, and in the past few years have become a big fan of Audie Murphy and his Westerns. Even though Murphy wasn’t the best actor in the world, the fact that he was the most decorated American combat soldier of World War II gave his on-screen heroics a touch of realism.
It was fifty years ago on May 28, 1971, that he died in a plane crash along with four other passengers and the pilot. It was a horrible ending for one of the bravest men who ever lived. Even my mother watches his movies with a tinge of sadness.
Below is the article from the Journal of June 1, 1971 reporting his tragic death.
Strangely enough, on that same page of the Journal was the report of the death of another soldier – Specialist Fourth Class Philip E. Crisp of Lorain – who died at Fort George Mead, Maryland. As one of the unsung heroes of our military, it’s only right to highlight him and his service today on Memorial Day, the day that we honor those men and women who died while serving in the military.
As his obituary notes, “Born in Lorain, he enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1969. He completed his basic training at Fort Campbell, Ky., and received advanced training in Army Missiles at Fort Bliss, Tex.
“Crisp was one of thousands of men in the military called in during anti-war demonstrations last month in Washington, D.C., and received a broken nose during a melee."
Philip Crisp came from a family who believed in serving their country. His father, Alphonce Crisp, was a World War II, U. S. Army Veteran. His brother Gary Crisp served in the U. S. Air Force.
It’s especially sad that Crisp died so young, and at the beginning of his military career.
I don’t know the Crisp family. But I share their grief today – Memorial Day 2021 – for their loss that occurred fifty years ago.
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My older brother Ken and his wife Patty both served in the U. S. Army.
Ken told me that during Basic Training, one of his fellow recruits was going through their exercises with the chin strap of his helmet unbuckled. Of course, that drew the wrath of their sergeant, who told him to fasten it – pronto.
“Who do you think you are?” the sergeant barked at the hapless soldier. "Audie Murphy?”
Great blog to celebrate Decoration Day. Enjoy our freedom today! Rae
ReplyDeleteI can't think of any of todays "movie stars" that ever served in the military.In the "50s-"60s most of the male stars of Hollywood served in WWII and were war heroes.Take Charles Bronson for instance.He was a tail gunner in a bomber and recieved a Purple Heart for his heroics.Lee Marvin was in the Marines and recieved a Purple Heart and numerous other citations.Ernest Borgnine served about 10 years in the Navy and recieved the Navy Good Conduct Award and others as well.Lee Van Cleef was a sonarman on a minesweeper and recieved the rank of Sonarman First Class.He was awarded the Bronze Star plus a host of other citations for his service.Etc.Plus Audie Murphy being the most decorated ever.There are thousands of real actors of the past who all served their country and never hit it big.All of these actors were real live war heroes in their military and personal lives.All the actors of today were never any type of hero in their personal life or on the silver screen.Todays stars are all as fake as "Fake News".
ReplyDeleteIn response to Anonymous from 1:28pm. Back in the 30's, 40's & 50's men enlisted in the military to fight for freedom and to protect US interests, whether it was in a World War or protecting our allies. Back then when the injured came back they were taken care of medically, not tossed to the street to suffer or go bankrupt to get needed medical care. It became apparent in the 60's and up through today that the new wars the US military now fights for is for oil and greed. You rarely notice any of our US Legislators sending their children to war. It is mostly the poor and misguided who now join the military and go to war and die or come back broken. Even those I know personally that have come back from their tours are soured with this reality. Today's stars may be 'fake' but they are not gullible. The US needs to take a look inward and awaken to the reality that they are being used for the benefit of privileged who hide behind the US flag and false patriotism. How many of the people you have elected have actually served in the military? Think about it. Russell.
ReplyDeleteReading these posts about stars in the service got me into looking this up.Evidently Bea Arthur of Maude fame was a Marine of all things.She enlisted in the newly formed United State Marine Corps Womens Reserve.She first served as a typist then transferred to the Motor Transport School in North Carolina and was a truck driver and dispatcher till she was honorably discharged as a Staff sergeant in 1945.I can't see any women stars of today voluntarily enlisting in the services like any of the stars of yesteryear did.Much less drive a class 7 or 8 truck.She was also awarded the American Campaign Medal and WWII Victory Medal for her contributions to the war.Nobody was better at anything in life than the silent generation was.Makes me want to go back in time when my grandparents were alive and give them a big hug and to tell them that I truely miss them and their work ethic and loyalty to their family and this country.A generation like the silent generation will never happen again.
ReplyDeleteWell Russell I thought about it, and I think it took a long time and way too many words when you just could have said you didn't have guts enough to serve and left it at that. And I think you could have done that without insulting every single member of the US Armed Forces. I think knowing a couple veterans (if you really do) doesn't make you an expert. On the plus side, I think you spoke eloquently about our poor, abused actors and celebrities, so often misunderstood. Its about time somebody took their side for a change. But I think, way deep down, you can say what you want on Veteran's Day, who cares? But Memorial Day is a day dedicated to man who have proven they are better than you. I think you should thank God for making such men. And I think you should enjoy your day off and keep your ignorant trap shut.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the above posts.The Silent Generation was probably the best age group of people there ever were.Born between 1928-1945,this age group didn't have anything given to them like the baby boomers did.The baby boomers wanted free love and drugs and didn't want to have a job like their parents did."I'm not working for THE MAN!" was their anthem.The baby boomers wanted to be different so they didn't do anything like their parents did.The silent generation worked for their money.The baby boomers didn't work and wanted their parents to give them the money that the silent generation just earned."If you don't give your money to me,THE MAN is going to take it instead!".The baby boomers didn't want to drive a car like their parents had so they bought a foreign car instead."I'm not driving a car like THE MAN has!".The baby boomers tried drugs in order to "escape" from their boring life."I'm gonna smoke some dope to get away from THE MAN!".So they all got high and became hippies instead of regular citizens like the silent generation.The list goes on and on.90% of the boomers are free loaders and always were and just because they are getting older now I don't feel the need to cut them any slack on their past.The boomers made their bed,now they get to lie in it.
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