Audie Murphy’s book To Hell and Back is a biography of their time in the military, a narrative that vividly details the events leading to the author receiving a medal of honor in their journey to being among the most decorated foot soldiers of war. The foreword of the book presents a tragic end to an illustrious career in the military and as an actor, but does not fall short of highlighting Murphy’s exploits and combat experiences during World War II. The events occur under different situations and contexts and are described in book from a vintage point of view.
To Hell and Back opens its account in the invasion beaches of Sicily, weaves its way through Salerno and Anzio in Italy, Southern France, and eventually Southern Germany. The opening account of the book sets pace for the rest of the events narrated. “Hey boss. The cahgo…” (Murphy, 2002) is followed by a description showing the soldier was no more, thus marked Murphy’s grotesque welcome and induction into the battlefield. The book delves into recounting Murphy’s struggles in getting into combat because their seniors repeatedly assigned them non-combatant roles, largely owing to Murphy’s ‘baby face’ (Murphy, 2002).
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Once into combat, Murphy vindicates the decisions by their senior because they regret the role. Nevertheless, the author pointed out that being assigned to combat is not for the faint hearted. Murphy described their commitment to the role that led them to become very adept at it. However, the book highlights a critical aspect of combat: that skill and training notwithstanding, survival in the battlefield largely depended on sheer luck (Murphy, 2002). Many casualties due to avoidable incidents, but precautions are ever inadequate to curtail dangerous encounters. Murphy described what it is like to be at the frontline of combat, noting that units experienced casualties in excess of 100% (Murphy, 2002). The author also highlights their steady climb in rank from a private to a second lieutenant.
The book also brings to focus the predicament of infantry combat units that have to contend with dire living conditions regardless of the season, for weeks and even months. For instance, they may be forced to hole up in trenches, eat from tins, and fight off epidemics of lice, trench foot, and frost bite. Even men who endured for years eventually broke down, leaving survivors in fear of what the coming days held (Murphy, 2002). Consequently, Murphy advocated living a day at a time and avoiding optimism about the future. However, such assertions are not certain as evidenced by the author’s own plans following the announcement that the war was over. Murphy resolved to find the kind of girl that they once dreamed of, settle down, and lead a normal life, thus vindicating the title of the book, To Hell and Back (Murphy, 2002).
On a personal level, one can argue that the book To Hell and Back is no hyperbole because it depicts what actually transpired during Murphy’s time in the military. The book can be lauded for its candid approach in describing the events unfolding in combat. The chilling and grotesque approach adopted by the author clearly brings out the intended message. The captivating nature of the book makes readers appreciate what members of the infantry combat units went through at the time (Murphy, 2002). However, the book sends a different message to prospective service men. Murphy posited that “If there is any glory in war, let it rest on men like these”, in reference to two privates they served with in different battles. Unfortunately, both died in action during different battles, corroborating their assertions that survival at frontline of combat owed largely to sheer luck. One can argue that the descriptions employed in the book elicit imagination of what the situation was actually like for Murphy and other men. Given that the book is a true account of the author’s experiences, it vindicates that Murphy indeed went To Hell and Back.
References
Murphy, A. (2002). To Hell and Back: The Classic Memoir of World War II by America's Most Decorated Soldier . Holt Paperbacks.
