FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- Staff Sgt. Gregory Whitehurst became the newest member of the prestigious Sgt. Audie Murphy Club on Sept. 16 at an induction ceremony held at Blesse Auditorium, Willis Hall, joining an elite group of noncommissioned officers who lead by example.
The club recognizes noncommissioned officers who set the highest standards of leadership, excellence and exemplify the characteristics of Audie Murphy, a great American hero.
A legend in his own time, Audie Murphy was the highest decorated Soldier in WWII. After being refused enlistment in both the Marines and Paratroopers for being too small, 5 feet 5 inches tall, and 110 pounds, Murphy enlisted in the Army a few days after his 18th birthday. After basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas and advanced training at Fort George G. Meade, Md., Murphy was sent overseas.
Murphy was assigned to the famous 15th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division where he fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany.
Distinguishing himself in the battlefield with courage and valor, Murphy was awarded 33 medals. Among them is the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award a Soldier can receive for bravery, and the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star and Purple Heart medals. He was also decorated by the governments of Belgian and France for his bravery.
Murphy lived only 46 years, but he made a lasting impression on American history.
Discharged from the Army on Sept. 21, 1945, Murphy went to Hollywood at the invitation of James Cagney. He acted in 44 films and starred in 39 of them. His best known film is "To Hell and Back," adapted from his best selling book of his war experiences by the same name.
It is the members of the Sgt. Audie Murphy Clubs established Army-wide that keep his legacy and memory alive for all noncommissioned officers and leaders to emulate.
Introducing Whitehurst as "her" Sgt. Audie Murphy, Sgt. Maj. Tabita Scrivens described him as a professional and dynamic leader who stands out in any organization.
Host for the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Russell Czerw, commanding general, Fort Sam Houston and Army Medical Department Center and School, and Command Sgt. Maj. Howard Riles, presented Whitehurst with the Sgt. Audie Murphy medallion and letters of congratulations.
Riles, who introduced the guest speaker, said to Whitehurst, "Congratulations for reaching another milestone, taking the special honor of being inducted in the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club."
Whitehurst, D Co., 264th Medical Battalion, Sheppard Air Force, said, "It's a great honor to be inducted. It was lots of hard work, but it definitely pays off in the end."
Whitehurst said he went through three levels of oral boards. Members of the board consisting of command sergeants major and sergeant majors from the post community tested Whitehurst on subjects such as leadership, military customs and courtesies, marksmanship, land navigation, the promotion system, education program and soldier support and activities.
Whitehurst's father, Greg, from Winnsboro, Texas, said, "I am very proud of him. He worked very hard to get it. He is dedicated and a great father to his son." Also attending the ceremony was his wife, Alicia, his son, 5-year-old Austin, stepmother, Terri and sister Lauren.
Sgt. Maj. Richard Henson, guest speaker for the induction ceremony spoke about the NCO Corps. Henson, who has been a member of the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club for 18 years, understands what it means to be exceptional.
"Noncommissioned officers today are trained professionals and stand ready to perform a myriad of tasks, and lead their Soldiers in training as well as in combat as their predecessors did before them," Henson said.
Henson said NCOs face challenges, find solutions, never quit, encourage Soldiers to do better, teach, mentor, and coach Soldiers who will one day take their place.
"NCOs have the responsibility of training young men and women to accomplish their units' missions," said Henson.
"NCOs have and will always be the glue that holds the Army together as more responsibilities have been entrusted in our NCOs by our leaders. Our roles have become more important than ever," concluded Henson.
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