Audie Murphy movie will be shown at the National Infantry Museum

1975. Based on his autobiography, the film follows Murphy’s service from an Army Private to his battlefield commission as 2nd Lieutenant. During that time, he was wounded three times, fought in 9 major campaigns across the European Theater, was credited with killing over 240 of the enemy and became a legend within the 3rd Infantry Division.

Growing up, I just thought Audie Murphy was an actor. After all, he was in movies like "To Hell and Back," "The Red Badge of Courage" and "Destry."

It wasn't until much later that I learned that he was the most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II.

The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center's IMAX Theater will show "To Hell and Back" at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Monday, on what would have been his 97th birthday.

Murphy was just 46 when he died in 1971.

The movie is sponsored by the Fort Benning Chapter of the Audie Murphy Club.

"To Hell and Back," released in 1955, was the highest grossing movie until 1975. The movie is based on his autobiography and traces his service in the Army from his days as a private to his battlefield commission as second lieutenant. He was wounded three times, and fought in nine major European theater campaigns.

Tickets are $10 and benefit the chapter's scholarship program.

Murphy made 44 features films and starred in a couple of television series.

Call Sgt. Namu Keys at 706-575-7240.

This story was originally published June 15, 2011 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Audie Murphy movie will be shown at the National Infantry Museum."