Sergeant Audie Murphy Club
Command Sergeant Major
810 Schreider Street
Fort Detrick, Maryland 21702-5000
SAMC Study Guide
These questions are to help prepare for the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club board. You must understand that there are many questions about Audie Murphy and the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club Program that could be asked, and that you have a responsibility to do your own research. There are many resources available to assist in your research. You can probably find everything you need to know by searching the internet. It's recommended to use any of the major search engines and conducting a search for "Audie Murphy." It's strongly recommended to use the following two sites:
NOTE: At the end of the questions we have included some advice on preparing for, and appearing before, the board.
Sergeant Audie Murphy
Q: Where and when was Audie Murphy born?
A: Kingston, Texas - June 20, 1924.
Q: How many years of schooling did Audie Murphy have?
A: Five years.
Q: At what age was Audie Murphy orphaned?
A: 16 years old.
Q: Where did Audie Murphy do basic training?
A: Camp Wolters, Texas.
Q: Where did Audie Murphy do advanced training?
A: Fort Meade, Maryland.
Q: What unit was Audie Murphy assigned to during World War II?
A: 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division.
Q: Where did Audie Murphy fight during WWII?
A: North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany.
Q: What was the Service Number of Audie Murphy?
A: 01 692 509.
Q: Name five of the U.S. awards that Audie Murphy earned during WWII?
A: (Any of the following)
- Medal of Honor
- Silver Star (1 OLC)
- Bronze Star (w/V, 1 OLC)
- Good Conduct Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Army of Occupation Medal (w/Germany clasp)
- Distinguished Service Cross
- Legion of Merit
- Purple Heart (2 OLC)
- Distinguished Unit Emblem (1 OLC)
- World War II Victory Medal
- European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (1 Silver Star, 4 Bronze Service Stars)
Q: Name the six foreign awards that Audie Murphy earned during WWII?
- Medal of Liberated France
- French Fourragere in colors of the Croix de Guerre
- French Legion of Honor, Grade of Chevalier
- French Croix de Guerre (w/ Silver Star)
- French Croix de Guerre (w/Palm)
- Belgian Croix de Guerre (1940 Palm)
Q: How many movies did Audie Murphy act in?
Q: Name five movies that Audie Murphy acted in.
- 40 Guns to Apache Pass
- A Time for Dying
- Apache Rifles
- Arizona Raiders
- Bad Boy
- Battle at Bloody Beach
- Beyond Glory
- Bullet for a Badman
- Cast a Long Shadow
- Column South
- Drums Across the River
- Hell Bent for Leather
- Joe Butterfly
- Kansas Raiders
- Night Passage
- No Name on the Bullet
- Posse from Hell
- Ride a Crooked Trail
- Ride Clear of Diablo
- Seven Ways from Sundown
- Six Black Horses
- Texas, Heaven and Brooklyn
- The Cimarron Kid
- The Duel at Silver Creek
- The Gun Runners
- The Guns of Fort Petticoat
- The Kid from Texas
- The Quick Gun
- The Quiet American
- The Red Badge of Courage
- The Texican
- The Unforgiven
- The Wild and the Innocent
- To Hell and Back
- Trunk to Cairo
- World in My Corner
- Gunfight at Comanche Creek
- Seven Ways from Sundown
Q: How many songs were written by Audie Murphy?
A: 17. (TRADOC Reg 600-14, Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC) states "16," however, the information on the Sergeant Audie L. Murphy Memorial Web Site, the Official Web Site for the Audie Murphy Research Foundation, lists 17 songs)
Q: Name five of the songs written by Audie Murphy.
- Shutters And Boards (1962)
- When The Wind Blows In Chicago (1962)
- Please Mr. Music Man Play A Song For Me (1962)
- Foolish Clock (1962)
- Leave The Weeping To The Willow Tree (1962)
- The Only Light I Ever Need Is You (1962)
- Go On And Break My Heart (1963)
- Willie The Hummer (1963)
- My Lonesome Room (1963)
- Elena, Goodbye (1964)
- Big, Big Day Tomorrow (1964)
- If There Is A Short Cut To Nowhere (I'll Take It) (1964)
- Pedro's Guitar (1964)
- Round And Round She Goes (1965)
- Rattle Dance (1966)
- Dusty Old Helmet (1969)
- Was It All Worth Losing You (1970)
Q: What movie star invited Audie Murphy to Hollywood?
A: James Cagney.
Q: What movie was adapted from the book of Audie Murphy's war experiences?
A: To Hell And Back.
Q: Which unit of the Texas Army National Guard did Audie Murphy join in 1950?
A: The 36th Infantry Division ("T-Patchers")
Q: What is significant about the year 1955 for Audie Murphy?
A: That was the year his was voted as the Most Popular Western Actor in America by the Motion Picture Exhibitors.
Q: Was Audie Murphy a member of any fraternal organizations?
A: Yes, he was a Shriner (Mason).
Q: When and how did AUDIE MURPHY die?
A: AUDIE MURPHY was killed in a plane crash on a mountaintop near Roanoke, Virgina on May 28, 1971. His body was recovered 2 days later, on Memorial Day.
Q: What regulation(s) cover the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club Program?
- (FORSCOM) Regulation 215-7, The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC) Program
- (TRADOC) Regulation 600-14, Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC) Program
Q: According to FORSCOM REG 215-7 and TRADOC REG 600-14, what is the purpose of induction into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club?
A: The SAMC is a means of recognizing those NCOs who have contributed significantly to the development of a professional NCO Corps and combat ready Army. Members exemplify leadership characterized by personal concern for the needs, training, development and welfare of soldiers and concern for families of soldiers.
Q: According to FORSCOM REG 215-7 and TRADOC REG 600-14, what is the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club?
A: An elite organization of NCOs whose demonstrated performance and inherent leadership qualities and abilities are characterized by those of Sergeant Audie Murphy.
Q: When and where was the original Sergeant Audie Murphy Club started?
A: The original club was started at Fort Hood, Texas early in 1986.
Q: Who designed the SAMC logo?
A: Don Moore, a Killeen artist, assisted with designing the logo and club awards.
Q: Describe the SAMC Crest.
A: The crest depicts the symbols of the majestic American Bald Eagle superimposed over the olive branch-wreath, saber, and lighting bolt. In front of the eagle are the U.S. Army staff sergeant stripes. The eagle firmly clutches in both claws a powder-blue banner, the color of the infantry. On the banner are displayed words Loyalty, Caring, Discipline, and Professionalism.
Q: What do the three stars separating the S*A*M*C in the crest represent?
A: The Be, Know, and Do for the NCO.
Q: Why is SSG rank insignia included in the crest?
A: Reflects Audie Murphy's highest enlisted rank.
Q: What does the eagle represent?
A: Our national bird and symbol of freedom, and the intent of the club to be nationwide.
Q: What does the laurel represent?
A: Represents the individual achievement of the NCOs in the club.
Q: What does the lightning bolt represent?
A: It represents the swift and decisive action taken by the NCO.
Q: What does the sword represent?
A: The sword is a historical reference, a tool for the NCO to cut to the heart of the matter, to lead the charge.
Q: What do the streamers represent?
A: The streamers indicate upon which the club bases their philosophy-Loyalty, Discipline, Professionalism, and Caring.
Q: What is the SAMC motto?
A: "You lead from the front," Audie Murphy.