#1 Soldier with his boys & his Trains

Thanks for posting. Here's one of my autographs from him, thought I would share.

You say "my friend." Did you know Audie? If so, that's very cool

We here know many important/famous/talented people have been railroaders, but those outside our hobby do not. We'll probably never overcome the stigmas attached, but that's ok. I don't understand the hobbies many other people enjoy, I just understand it brings them happiness and that's enough for me. 

Fun fact, there's a site called The Art of Manliness, and they had lists of manliest hobbies. Railroading was on there because of the skills it teaches in electrics and mechanicals, model building, etc.

One of the graves I visited when I went to Arlington years ago.

Audie was not only a super-soldier but a super person. One of my true heroes, may he rest in Peace. He had little Peace after the war from what I have read. We need a lot more like him today. I agree-if Murphy played with trains it is OK.

Andrew,

   The men in the picture below were my Father and Mother's close friends, and often visited and Grouse hunted with us.  Murph was world class with Grouse/Quail Gun, General Stewart was even better, my Father & Grandfather were simply incredible, I am not bad myself.  Josef - Great picture with his real signature, treasure it.

PCRR/Dave   

" And then I realized I was lucky enough to be holding the bravest Soldier who ever lived in my arms" -  Jimmy Stewart - on location filming Night Passage, with Audie Murphy.

I remeber seeing the tv news he died in a plain crash.Later that week I learned what he did in ww2.And saw him in some movies to.Well I had no idea he liked trains to.So I have to ask.How was he in person?

That's so very cool! While I'm only 25, James Stewart is one of my favorite actors. And, as you say, Audie Murphy is one of the truly great American heroes (Stewart as well). It must've been a real honor to spend time with both those men

A few minutes ago, I had never heard of this gentleman. A quick look at a webpage about him made me a bit embarassed by that, especially after reading about the medals he earned during his service. I plan on reading a bit more of that site (http://www.audiemurphy.com/) soon.

J White

Dad and I are WWll buffs, Jimmy Stewart and Audi Murphy fans.But I never knew he liked trains. I managed to get Jimmy's autograph, but Audie died when I was little.Both very brave men from a special generation.

Dave,

That is a great story.

I always enjoy Audie Murphy movies on the Western Channel.  They are on regularly,even weekly.

His movie "To Hell and Back" gives an idea of his military exploits.  I think that I remember that Audie Murphy said onetime that the movie was a bit much.

I think that he was a low key kind of guy,shy about his military experience.

Norm

Norn,

    You are absolutely correct Murph was not fond of how the movie came out, both Murph and Stewart were very low key kind of men, never saw either man brag about their military careers, in fact neither men talked about that part of their lives much at all, my Father was the same way, all three men were haunted by the things that had to do, during WWII.   None slept well when their wives were not in bed with them, my father never really rested without my mother by his side.  Murph tried to handle his reoccurring battle field dreams on his own, it lead to some very bad stuff, both my Father and Mr Stewart ask Murph to seek out help from the Active Military or VA, Murph never would, and he payed dearly for it mentally.  Norm you know my Father ran the Boys Club in Swissvale, Pa were the Penn Hills Police Dept O Gauge layout really started.  One Christmas in the 50's Audie Murphy payed my Father a visit at the Boys Club and helped build our Christmas Boys Club Train layout, I am trying right now to retrieve one of the old B&W Brownie Hawkeye Photos of Murph and my Father helping us kids build the Club Christmas layout.  Some of those boys/old men are still alive, if I can get another copy of that picture, I will post it for everyone to see.  None of these 3 men ever considered themselves a hero, they all believed they just did what had to be done, and that the real US Military heros, give their lives so that we could live the way we do today.  My Father was a US Navy SeaBee UDT Diver, he set this example for all branches of the military on Guadalcanal, only the men who gave their lives are hero's he told the Admiral, all others are simply doing what has to be done, we are not fighting for medals, we fight for our country and our families, make sure that young Marine at your feet is awarded the medal, and that his wife receives the medal and the money to help raise his son.  The 3rd Marine Division called these US Navy SeaBee, Under Water Demo Teams the toughest men alive, in modern times we refer to them as US Navy Seals.  The very 1st were the 46th UDT SeaBee's on Guadalcanal.

PCRR/Dave