AUDIE L. MURPHY(1924 - 1971) Most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II. Among his 33 awards and decorations was the Medal of Honor, also received every decoration for valor that his country had to offer, some of them more than once, including five decorations from France and Belgium. Credited with killing over 240 of the enemy while wounding and capturing many others. Fine content T.L.S. signed with initial "A", 1p. 4to., Tucson, Apr. 18, 1956, to Jimmy. In part: "...I think life was easier in the army. It may sound silly coming from a guy like me, but I've become gun-shy. I duck every time I hear a shot, and walk around looking over my shoulder. I've a good reason, too, for I'm working with 42 women in Columbia's 'The Guns of Fort Petticoat', my first independent production, and I'm supposed to train them into a fighting force to stand off an Indian attack. Most of the girls have not handled a rifle before this. I have to train them like a drill sergeant...But every now and again I find a gun aimed at me, instead of at the target or Indians. I duck fast, for even blanks can hurt. Trouble is the girls have trouble keeping one eye open when they fire. Director George Marshall almost flips when he sees half the girls with both eyes closed. But the girls have lost weight, man...I make them march, drill, throw themselves on the ground, take cover in the sand, dig fox holes, and so forth...Kathy Grant, Jeff Donnell, Isobel Elsom, and Pat Livingstone have lost pounds in a few days. No wonder I keep looking over my shoulder...". Near fine. The Western "The Guns at Fort Petticoat" (1957) featured Murphy as a moralistic Union Army lieutenant who deserted the army to warn his neighbors of impending Indian attacks triggered by an Army massacre. It starred Kathryn Grant, Hope Emerson, Jeff Donnell, Patricia Tierman, among others .