How Sergeant Audie Leon Murphy Influenced the Roles and Responsibilities of the Contemporary Warrant Officer
Sergeant Audie Leon Murphy’s exceptional leadership style, unparalleled military bearing, and intestinal fortitude positively influenced the roles and responsibilities of the contemporary NCO. Over the course of what many would consider an extraordinary life, Master Sergeant Audie Murphy had humble beginnings as the son of a sharecropper and became America’s most decorated World War II veteran. He too took advantage of this status to become an accomplished movie star, songwriter, and poet. Despite his death in 1971, Master Sergeant Murphy has continued to influence those who have come since, and his accomplishments are still celebrated today.
From the annual Audie Murphy Day in his hometown to his induction into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, the life of Master Sergeant Audie Murphy is still celebrated in many ways. Master Sergeant Murphy’s name also appears in memory at a Veterans Administration hospital in Texas, as well as on numerous roads and highways throughout the state. Master Sergeant Audie Murphy overcomes many obstacles that prevented him from joining the military. After joining the United States Army in June 1942, he meticulously distinguished himself above his peers by receiving every award the United States bestows for his valor. After his death in May 1971, his legacy of training, leading, and mentoring soldiers was adopted as the training doctrine instilled in all soldiers earning the rank of sergeant today.
There are several styles for effective leadership; however, three styles in particular are common in today’s military. The laissez faire style, from the French for “hands off,” minimizes the amount of direction and time needed to effectively train and direct soldiers. Therefore, this leadership style is most effective when working with highly trained and motivated subordinates, such as Special Forces. One drawback to this style of leadership is that one may appear distant or uninterested in the roles and responsibilities of a non-commissioned officer. Also, subordinates tend to lack discipline and a general sense of responsibility. The Autocratic leadership style relies primarily on an authority figure, in this case, the non-commissioned officer. This style is mostly effective when used during real world war missions or in crisis situations. Most NCOs chose this style of leadership; however, it has many flaws. An autocratic noncommissioned officer risks losing the respect and trust of his soldiers because unit morale declines as a result of the noncommissioned officer’s authoritarian nature. Additionally, the unit may develop passive-aggressive subordinates who contribute little or nothing to the unit or military service.
The participative leadership style incorporates aspects of both the laissez faire and autocratic styles. Participative leaders instill purpose, motivation, and direction in each soldier. This removes the “aloof” aspect of a noncommissioned officer using the laissez faire leadership style because the noncommissioned officer actively participates in training and directing Soldiers. The Participatory style also eliminates the all-or-nothing authoritarian style of the Autocratic leadership style by encouraging input and feedback from all team members. Staff Sergeant Murphy’s leadership style was an effective combination of participatory and autocratic. This unique combination of leadership style is taught to all noncommissioned officers who attend a professional career development class such as the Warrior Leader Course. By providing purpose, motivation, and direction, while maintaining a professional relationship with Soldiers, Master Sgt. Murphy was an effective leader and mentor.
Master Sergeant Murphy’s integrity and commitment to mentoring young soldiers led to the establishment of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club at Fort Hood, Texas in 1986. “By 1994, this club had spread throughout the Army to all commands with facilities that held the selection process for their own NCOs” (Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, 2009). Admission to the distinguished Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is highly competitive as its members represent less than one percent of contemporary NCOs. Since 1986, the club has produced several distinguished NCOs who have become influential members both in their community and in the United States Army.
Military bearing is a concept instilled in every service member at the time of their entry into the armed forces. The ability to conduct yourself with decorum, discipline, and adhere to the highest levels of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage in all that one does is fundamental to all men and women in the military. Military bearing is not only taught to all service members from day one, but is reinforced throughout the length of military service. Master Sergeant Murphy’s military bearing, his ability to conduct himself with professionalism and honor in all that he did, directly influenced his pursuit of combat duty in the face of various obstacles. Despite being turned down by the Marines, Paratroopers, and the Navy due to his small frame and young age, Master Sergeant Murphy persisted in his goal of joining the United States Armed Forces. “After being accepted into the United States Army in 1942, Staff Sergeant Murphy rose rapidly to the enlisted rank of Staff Sergeant, was awarded a ‘battlefield’ commission as a Second Lieutenant, was wounded three times , fought in 9 major campaigns throughout the European theater, and survived the war” (Audie Murphy Research Foundation, 2006).
Master Sergeant Murphy’s military bearing was evident in his ability to overcome previous setbacks that prevented him from fulfilling his combat duty. By continuing to conduct himself in a professional manner and adhering to the values of duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage, Master Sergeant Murphy achieved his goal and was eventually sent to Maryland for advanced training. of infantry After this training, Master Sergeant Murphy continued to persevere and exemplify the Army Core Values. After a mission in North Africa, he would go on to campaign in Sicily, Italy, and France. Master Sergeant Murphy’s drive, core Army values and discipline were evident in the honors and accolades he received. Military bearing is an important aspect of the contemporary non-commissioned officer’s roles and responsibilities, which should never be forgotten.
The Congressional Medal of Honor is the United States’ highest military award for Valor. “The Medal of Honor is awarded to those who conspicuously distinguish themselves by bravery and fearlessness at the risk of their lives beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States” (United States, 2006). On January 26, 1945, Master Sergeant Murphy, while deployed to France during World War II, achieved this high honor. “In the award’s 138-year history, there are only 3,448 recipients to date” (Congressional Medal of Honor Society, 2010). Although his unit had an ineffective strength of 19 out of 128 soldiers, he led his troops to the rear while remaining in position, at his own peril, to engage the Germans. Exhausting all available rifle ammunition, he continued his attack commanding an abandoned .50 caliber machine gun. After being wounded in the leg during this exchange, he easily continued combat operations for another hour. Upon the arrival of reinforcements, Master Sergeant Murphy mounted a precise and effective counterattack. This counterattack ultimately turned the tide of the battle in favor of the Allied forces. These heroic actions forced the enemy to retreat, driving the Germans away from Holtzwihr and securing the position. By standing firm in his position, continuing to fight at all costs after being wounded, and then shifting from a defensive stance to mounting a counterattack, he markedly distinguished himself. These undeniable examples of Master Sergeant Murphy’s gut fortitude directly resulted in his being awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. By the end of World War II, Master Sergeant Murphy had received 33 medals from the United States, along with five medals from France and Belgium, making him the most decorated United States Soldier in history. It is also through these actions of courage and determination that he positively influenced the roles and responsibilities of the contemporary NCO.
In conclusion, Master Sergeant Audie Leon Murphy’s unique combination of leadership style, unprecedented military bearing, and gut strength positively influenced the roles and responsibilities of the contemporary NCO. Both as a soldier and as a role model, Master Sergeant Murphy was a tremendous influence not only while serving in the United States Army, but positively reflected the Army’s core values as a civilian. This is evidenced by his successful film and music career, as well as the annual celebrations that commemorate his many achievements in his life. His legacy contributed to a new doctrine of sergeant training instilled in every soldier upon reaching the rank of sergeant. Noncommissioned officers are responsible not only for providing purpose and motivation, but also for giving instructions to young soldiers to train and lead them effectively. The noncommissioned officer’s role is to direct soldiers, take action to accomplish the mission, and promote good order and discipline. Master Sergeant Audie Murphy became the epitome of what it takes to become a non-commissioned officer, and his legacy positively influenced all who came after him.
References:
Audie Murphy Research Foundation. (2006). Biographical sketch. Retrieved from audiemurphy.com/biography.htm
Congressional Medal of Honor Society. (2010). ArchiveStatistics. Retrieved from cmohs.org/medal-statistics.php
Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. (2009). US Army – Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, Fort Knox Chapter, Fort Knox Kentucky. Retrieved from knox.army.mil/samc/history.asp
United States (2006). Military Awards, Army Regulation 600-8-22, Washington, DC: Headquarters, Dept. of the Army.