Did Audie Murphys military heroism seem preordained?
Not at all — Immediately following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Murphy – then just 17 years old – tried to enlist in the military, but the services rejected him as underage. Shortly after his 18th birthday in June 1942, Murphy was finally accepted into the United States Army, after first being turned down by the Marines and the paratroopers for being underweight. During basic training he passed out during a close order drill. His company commander then tried to have him transferred to a cook and bakers’ school because of his apparent youthfulness and physical weaknesses, but Murphy insisted on becoming a combat soldier. His wish was granted; after 13 weeks of basic training, he was sent to Fort Meade, Maryland for advanced infantry training.
