Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier in World War II, was born 4.5 miles south on June 20, 1924, the sixth of nine children of tenant farmers Emmett and Josie Killian Murphy. Living on various farms, he attended school through the 8th grade in Celeste, considered the family's home town, but had to quit to help support the family, developing marksmanship skills by hunting for food. On his 18th birthday, after the Marines rejected him because of his size, 5 feet, 7 inches and 130 pounds, he enlisted in the Army while working in Greenville. For unusual courage and bravery, he received 24 decorations, including the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor, the French Legion of Honor, Chevalier, the Distinguished Service Cross, and a Silver Star. After the war he became a successful actor, with his most prominent role portraying himself in the film "To Hell and Back," his war career autobiography. Following his untimely death in a plane crash in Virginia on May 28, 1971, and burial in Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S. Congress paid a final tribute by dedicating a new veterans' hospital in San Antonio to the memory of this American hero. He was survived by his widow Pamela and sons Terry and James.