Albert Pyle stands next to the Audie Murphy Memorial at Brush Mountain, Virginia. Photo provided by Mike West.

This marker was erected by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5311 near the plane crash site. The crash site is close to Roanoke, Virginia (see map shown below for location). The gentleman in the photo is Mr. Albert Pyle, who was assigned to Company B, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division and served with Audie Murphy During World War II. Mr. Pyle was with him when Audie was serioulsy wounded in the hip. After Audie's death, Mr. Pyle wrote down his recollections of Audie which he gave to Pamela Murphy. Mr. Pyle remembered, "Just before he was shot, he had managed to capture a German non-com and his radio man. . . The stretcher bearers picked Murphy up, but he still held a carbine across his middle. Grinning, he directed his two prisoners ahead of him as they made their way down the side of the hill. . . .This then was the shy Audie Murphy, so badly wounded and still attempting to complete his job, even though he is was in great pain."

The inscription on the memorial stone says .."Audie Leon Murphy ... June 20, 1924 - May 28, 1971 ... Born in Kingston, Texas. Died near this site in an airplane crash. America's most decorated Veteran of World War II. He served in the European Theatre, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division and earned 24 Decorations including the Medal of Honor, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Service Cross, and Three Purple Hearts. He was survived by his wife Pamela and two sons Terry Michael and James Shannon. Erected by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5311, Christiansburg, Virginia."

To reach the site from the town of Blackburg, take Mainstreet to Mount Tabor Road (also known as Route 624). Go 12 miles just past Route 650 and turn left onto a gravel road (FSP 188.1). You need to go 1.8 miles and then turn right at the top of Brush Mountain. Continue 1.6 Miles to the parking lot gate.

You will come to a parking lot. From here, you will have to hike about 7/10's of a mile to the memorial. After leaving the parking lot and entering the trail, you need to take the left path at the fork. After a hiking less than a mile, you will come arrive at the marker if you stick to the trail. There is a bench nearby you can rest at too (see photos below for signs and landmarks along the trail).

Audie Murphy Memorial. Photo provided by Fred Davis.

Recent image of Audie Murphy Memorial.

Route 624 road sign pointing the way to the Audie Murphy Brush Mountain Memorial. Photo provided by Fred Davis.

Sign at main gate and parking lot of the Audie Murphy Brush Mountain Memorial. Photo provided by Fred Davis.

Fork along the hiking trail leading to the Audie Murphy Memorial on Brush Mountain, Virginia. Photo provided by Fred Davis.

Marker and bench at the Audie Murphy Memorial on Brush Mountain, Virginia. Photo provided by Fred Davis.

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