Audie Leon Murphy was born in Kingston, Texas, on June 20, 1924, and died near this site in an airplane crash on May 28, 1971. America's most decorated veteran of World War II, he served in the European Theatre with the 15th Infantry Regiment and 3rd Infantry Division and earned 24 decorations, including the Medal of Honor, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Service Cross, and three Purple Hearts. He was survived by his wife, Pamela, and two sons, Terry Michael and James Shannon.