Audie Murphy was the most decorated soldier during World War
II. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military award
for bravery given to any individual who risks their life above and
beyond the call of duty.
Audie Murphy's life was shaped by three things: the Great
Depression of the 1930s, World War II of the 1940s, and a
Hollywood career which began in the early 1950s and continued
through the 1960s. The Depression and his family's poverty
toughened him. The war was the experience that followed him all
his life and brought him fame. Hollywood was never like real life
to him. Of the three, war was the definitive experience of his life.
On May 28, 1971, Audie, along with several other men, were
passengers on a private plane on their way to investigate a business
opportunity. The plane crashed in fog and rain on the side of a
mountain near Roanoke, Virginia. All aboard were killed. Audie
Murphy was buried with full military honors at Arlington National
Cemetery.
Audie Murphy was a true American hero and his life was a rags-
to-riches story. But in Audie Murphy, author Judy Alter shows that
fame does not always bring happiness.
Audie Murphy is the fifth title in the Stars of Texas Series,
aimed at fourth graders studying for the Texas history section of
the TAKS test. The first three books in the series, Henrietta King:
Rancher and Philanthropist, Mirabeau B. Lamar: Second President
of Texas, and Miriam "Ma" Ferguson: First Woman Governor of
Texas, have been chosen for the Accelerated Reader program, and
Henrietta King was a Spur Award finalist. Free workbooks for all
Stars of Texas Series books are available online.
_________________________________________________________
JUDY ALTER writes fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages. In
2005, she received the Owen Wister Award for Lifetime Achievement
from the Western Writers of America. She is director of TCU Press
and lives in Fort Worth, Texas.
Number Five: Stars of Texas Series
What people are saying about this book
"A much needed text for teaching the TEKS in Texas."—Leslie
Woolsey, Region XI ESC on Mirabeau B. Lamar
"An excellent series."—The Manhattan Mercury
"The kids will love the book, not realizing that it's 'good for
them.'"—Round-up Magazine on Henrietta King
Also in the Stars of Texas Series
