Audie Murphy was a U.S. war hero and actor. He
was born in Texas, and became
the most decorated soldier in WWII.
In 1955, Audie Murphy became interested in Freemasonry.
Encouraged by his close friend, Texas theater owner Skipper Cherry, Audie petitioned
and joined the Masonic Order in California. Later he returned to Texas to conduct
his Scottish Rite work and to join the Shrine. Audie remained active in various
Masonic events and was a member of good standing at the time of his death.
Audie received his first degree in Masonry when he was regularly initiated, February
14, 1955, in North Hollywood (California) Lodge No. 542, Free and Accept Masons
of California. He was passed to the Fellowcraft degree on April 4, 1955. On June
27, 1955, he was raised to the degree of a Master Mason. Later, he became a dual
member with Heritage Lodge No. 764, North Hollywood, (now Magnolia Park No. 618)
on May 14, 1956.
Audie took his degree work in the Scottish Rite Temple in Dallas on November
11-14, 1957, according to records located at the temple. After receiving his
32nd degree, Audie was elected vice president of the Thomas B. Hunter Memorial
Class.
Audie became a Shriner (Hella Temple, Dallas) on November 15, 1957. Audie was
made a "Master of the Royal Secret" in the Valley of Dallas, Orient
of Texas, on November 14, 1965. Audie was also decorated a Knight Commander of
the Court of Honor KCCH) on December 11, 1965. Audie affiliated with the Long
Beach Scottish Rite Bodies on April 2, 1971. Two weeks previously, on March 19,
1971, Shriner Murphy affiliated with the Al Malaikah Temple in Los Angeles.
Audie often participated in Shrine parades in both Texas and on the West Coast.
He was especially involved with the annual Mariner's Night, which included a
dinner held in the memory of the dead and to honor the living seafaring men.
San Pedro's Los Angeles Harbor Lodge No. 332, Long Beach California, sponsored
the annual Mariner's Night. As an honored guest, Audie made one of his last public
speeches for the Mariner's Night Dinner on April 15, 1971.
Taken
from Harold B. Simpson's book, Audie Murphy, American Soldier,
and from records of the Grand Lodge of Texas
