The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is a non-profit organization committed to contributing to the community. The club does charity work for the homeless, helps out the elderly, assists the handicapped, and works to provide a better life for everyone in the community. The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is operated solely by its members and is not affiliated with the Army. The club raises money for activities either by donation or through fund raising activities.
The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is comprised of the top 2% of the Noncommissioned Officers in the Army. They are selected to the club based on demonstrated leadership, professionalism, and overall general military knowledge. These NCOs demonstrate their excellence on a daily basis. Each sergeant is responsible for the training and welfare of the soldiers in their care. These distinguished NCOs directly influence each person who works under them. Each member constantly displays a positive attitude at work and is an upstanding citizen in the community. It is a prestigious honor to be a member of this elite club. |
Fort Campbell Sergeant Audie Murphy Club Officers
President
SFC Olanrewaju Anibaba
Vice President
MSG Erin Trudden
Secretary
SFC Thomas Skelton
Treasurer
SFC Anthony Latham
Meetings held the 1st Thursday of the Month except for Sept it will be held on the 11th of Sept. Governance: FORSCOM Reg. 600-80 - FORSCOM Reg. 215-8 - FORSCOM Reg. 215-5 |
No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army". I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the Military Service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.
Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind -- accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to remain tactically and technically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.
Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders! |
Biography
 Audie Leon Murphy was a legend in his own time. A war hero, movie actor, writer of country and western songs, and poet. His biography reads more like fiction than fact. He lived only 46 years, but he made a lasting imprint on American history. Audie was born on a sharecropper's farm in North Texas on June 20, 1924. As a boy, he chopped cotton for one dollar a day and was noted for his feats of derring-do and his accuracy with a gun. He had only 5 years of schooling and was orphaned at age 16. After being refused enlistment during World War II in both the Marines and Paratroopers for being too small (5'5") and underweight (110 lbs), he enlisted in the U.S. Army a few days after his 18th birthday. After basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas, and advanced training at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, Audie was sent overseas. He was assigned to the famous 15th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division where he fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. He earned a battlefields commission for his courage and leadership ability as well as citations and decorations including every medal for valor that America gives. He was also awarded three French and one Belgian medal. Lieutenant Audie Murphy was the highest decorated soldier in American history. Discharged from the Army on September 21, 1945, Audie went to Hollywood at the invitation of movie star James Cagney. He remained in California for the rest of his life and was closely associated with the movie industry, both as an actor and a producer. He acted in 44 films, starring in 39 of them. His best known film was "To Hell and Back," adopted from the best selling book of his war experiences by the same name. Most of his movies were westerns. In 1955, Audie Murphy was voted the Most Popular Western Actor in America by the Motion Picture Exhibitors. Audie wrote the lyrics to 16 country and western songs, the most popular of which was "Shutters and Boards," written with Scott Turner in 1962. The song was recorded by over 30 pop singers, including Jerry Wallace, Dean Martin, and Porter Waggoner. He was an accomplished poet; unfortunately, only a few of his poems have survived. In 1950 Audie joined the 36th Infantry Division ("T-Patchers") of the Texas National Guard and served with it until 1966. He was a Mason and a Shriner and belonged to several veterans organizations. Audie Murphy was killed in a plane crash on a mountain top near Roanoke, Virginia on May 28, 1971. Fittingly, his body was recovered 2 days later on Memorial Day. Audie could very well be the last American war hero. He was the greatest combat soldier in the 200 year plus history of the United States. |
The History of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club
The original club was started at Fort Hood, Texas early in 1986. There were several key people at Fort Hood - officer, enlisted, civil service, and a Killeen civilian - who were instrumental in getting this club up and running. Leading the effort was Lieutenant General Crosbie Saint, then the III Corps commander; his Command Sergeant Major George L. Horvath; III Corps Awards Clerk Jean Crisp, who is now Test and Experimentation Command (TEXCOM) awards clerk, and Don Moore, a Killeen artist who assisted with designing the logo and club awards. In 1991, then III Corps Commander Lieutenant General Pete Taylor and Command Sergeant Major Richard B. Cayton expanded the Fort Hood installation club to include all of III Corps. This included Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Polk, Louisiana; and Fort Carson, Colorado. In 1993, CSM Cayton was voted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club by the membership and then became the Forces Command Sergeant Major. Soon thereafter, the club became Forces-Command (FORSCOM) wide, including the Reserves and National Guard. In 1994 at a Sergeant Major of the Army conference, the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club spread Army-wide, to all commands with installations retaining the selection process for their own NCOs. In 1998, it was estimated that the club membership was over 3000 soldiers and was steadilly increasing. |
The Crest
The crest was designed by one of the original organizers of the club, Mr. Don Moore, Illustrator of Killeen, Texas. The crest depicts the symbols of the majestic American Bald Eagle superimposed over the olive branch-wreath, saber, and lighting bolt. In front of the eagle are the U.S. Army staff sergeant stripes. The eagle firmly clutches in both claws a powder-blue banner, the color of the infantry. On the banner are displayed words Loyalty, Caring, Discipline, and Professionalism.
S*A*M*C:
Initials separated by three stars which represent the Be, Know, and Do for the NCO.
SSG Rank Insignia:
Reflects Audie Murphy's highest enlisted rank.
The Eagle:
Our national bird and symbol of freedom, the intent of the club to be nationwide.
The Laurel:
Represents the individual achievement of the NCOs in the club.
The Lightning Bolt:
Represents swift and decisive action taken by the NCO.
The Sword:
A historical reference, a tool for the NCO to cut to the heart of the matter, to lead the charge.
The Streamers:
Indicate upon which we base our philosophy-Loyalty, Discipline, Professionalism, and Caring. |
The Medallion When a soldier is inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, he/she is given the medallion below which is approximately 3 inches in diamater. The medallion is suspended by a broad powder blue ribbon representing the traditional color of the INFANTRY. The medallion is worn around the neck on the outside of the Class A or Dress Blue uniform for official functions such as military balls or Sergeant Audie Murphy Club meetings. The image below is the front and reverse view of the medallion. As of 01 JAN 2008: The “Sergeant Audie Murphy Award” medallion (above) and FORSCOM FORM 1027, 1 MAR 2007 “Sergeant Audie Murphy Award” Certificate of Achievement were introduced by FORSCOM on 1 March 2007. It will replace the “Sergeant Audie Murphy Club Member” medallion (below) and the FORSCOM FORM 1027-R, 1 DEC 99 “Sergeant Audie Murphy Club” Induction Certificate of Achievement. Each installation SAMC under FORSCOM will produce their Membership/Induction Certificate for presentation to new SAMC Inductees. |
