AUDIE MURPHY - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 04/26/1961 - HFSID 284289

AUDIE MURPHY
Typed letter signed on letterhead of his AM Ranch, trying to "corral" celebrity fashion designer Nudie Cohn for a pair of boots
Typed Letter signed: "Audie", 1 page, 8x10. Enclosed in a plastic frame to 10x11½. Romoland, California, 1961 April 26. On letterhead of AM Farms to "Dear Dru", in full: "Haven't been able to corral Nudie on the boots yet, but will make a valiant effort the first chance I get. Regards".  Audie Murphy (1924-1971) was born to a poor Irish sharecropper in Kingston, Texas. He would become the most decorated United States soldier in World War II and a successful movie star. Having always dreamed of joining the military he changed his birthdate to join The United States Army when he was only seventeen. During the war Murphy was promoted several times and eventually took command of his own company. On January 26, 1945 his unit was part of the battle at Holtzwihr, France. After his unit was reduced to the strength of nineteen men he sent all of his men to the rear while he covered. After running out of ammunition Murphy climbed into a burning tank destroyer and began cutting down German infantry with its .50 caliber machine gun. Continuing single handedly, with the help of artillery he called in, he fought back the Germans for over an hour. He organized a counter attack and would drive the enemy from Holtzwihr. For his valor on the day he was awarded the Medal of Honor. His service during the war gained him thirty three U.S. medals, including every medal available at the time. After the war he suffered from various mental illnesses and became very outspoken about his own problems with Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome. In 1945 actor James Cagney invited Murphy to come work in Hollywood. In 1949 he got his first leading role in the film Bad Boy. In 1949 he released a ghostwritten Autobiography To Hell and Back which became a national bestseller. In the 1955 film version of the book he portrayed himself and To Hell and Back became Universal's biggest hit at the time. He spent twenty five years in Hollywood, making forty four feature films. He also appeared on television and became a successful country music songwriter. On May 28, 1971 Murphy died when a private plane he was on crashed in Virginia, he was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Nudie Cohn (1902-1984), born Nuta Kotlyarenko in Russia, designed flamboyant costumes for the stars, including Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Roy Rogers and many country music singers. (Porter Waggoner owned 52 of Nudie's suits, paying $10,000 or more for each one.) Cohn also customized automobiles, adding longhorn steer horns, pistol door handles and the like. Lightly creased and waffled. Otherwise, fine condition. Framed, not by HistoryForSale.