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Craig County Virginia Hiking Trails
Audie
Murphy Monument Trail
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George
Washington and Jefferson National Forests
Length: 1.5 mile loop
On May 28, 1971, the most decorated US soldier in the World War II died in
an airplane crash on the slopes of Brush Mountain.
Audie Murphy was born the son of a share cropper in Kingston, Texas. At
the age of 18, he joined the infantry and entered World War II. In January
1945, Audie Murphy's heroic actions stopped the Nazi advance into France. |
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He received the Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation's highest
military award. During WWII he also earned 24 medals from the United
States, 3 from France and one from Belgium. Following the war, Audie
Murphy wrote his memoirs in To Hell and Back. He also starred in over 40
films.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars have erected a monument to Audie Murphy's
memory on the crash site. The short section of the Appalachian Trail goes
over several peaks and saddles. The blue-blazed trail behind the monument
leads to an overlook with excellent views of Sinking Creek Valley.
Directions:
From Blacksburg, take Main Street to Mount Tabor Road
(Rt 624). Go 12 miles just past Rt 650. Turn left onto a gravel road (FS
P188.1). Turn right at the top of Brush Mountain and continue for 3 miles.
Total travel distance: 17 miles.
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